The Gauge Symmetry of the Third Kind and Quantum Mechanics as an Infrared Limit

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new gauge principle involving the phase of the wave functional, embedding quantum mechanics into a nonlinear classical framework with a fundamental length scale, and recovering quantum field theory for certain states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel gauge symmetry of the third kind, linking quantum mechanics to a dissipative, nonlinear classical structure with a fundamental length scale.

Findings

Quantum field theory is recovered for sufficiently spread states.

A fundamental length scale is necessary alongside entropy/area parameters.

Quantum systems are embedded into a nonlinear classical dynamical structure.

Abstract

We introduce functional degrees of freedom by a new gauge principle related to the phase of the wave functional. Thus, quantum mechanical systems are dissipatively embedded into a nonlinear classical dynamical structure. There is a necessary fundamental length, besides an entropy/area parameter, and standard couplings. For states that are sufficiently spread over configuration space, quantum field theory is recovered.