On the consequences of the fact that atomic levels have a certain width

TL;DR

This paper explores how the finite width of atomic energy levels impacts quantum theory's foundations and questions the traditional concept of time, suggesting these issues are interconnected.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that atomic level widths influence the perturbative basis of quantum theory and challenges the conventional notion of time in quantum mechanics.

Findings

Quantum theory has a fundamentally perturbative basis.

Atomic level widths lead to nonperturbative states.

Questioning of the traditional concept of time.

Abstract

This note presents two ideas. The first one is that quantum theory has a fundamentally perturbative basis but leads to nonperturbative states which it would seem natural to take into account in the foundation of a theory of quantum phenomena. The second one consists in questioning the validity of the present notion of time. Both matters are related to the fact that atomic levels have a certain width. This note is presented qualitatively so as to evidence its main points, independently of the models on which these have been tested.