Quantum mechanics has been plagued by severe interpretive confusion since its inception. The Copenhagen framework misinterprets the mathematical structure of the theory as natural reality, leading to the mystification and metaphysicalization of concepts such as "wave function collapse," "uncertainty principle," "quantum entanglement," and "intrinsic spin." Since the 20th century, this conceptual disarray has gradually detached physics from its empirical foundations, trapping it in a predicament where mathematics supplants the physical ontology.
But what if these "peculiarities" are merely the result of human misinterpretation? An emerging theoretical framework—from the Global Approximation Interpretation (GAI) to Natural Quantum Theory (NQT)—seeks to strip away these veils of mystery and restore the true essence of quantum mechanics. This is not mere skepticism but an exploratory journey grounded in rigorous mathematical analysis and physical realism. GAI deconstructs quantum peculiarities through mathematical formalism, while NQT further reveals that QM is merely the "spectral representation" of classical mechanics, probing deeper theoretical flaws and ultimately restoring the realism of quantum theory.
GAI: A "Non-Peculiar" Quantum World Under Mathematical Analysis
The Global Approximation Interpretation (GAI) marks the starting point of this journey, meticulously examining the core equations and experimental phenomena of quantum mechanics. The central tenet of GAI is that the formalism of quantum mechanics is not mysterious; it is simply a global approximation of the fluctuations in atomic physical systems. The so-called "quantum peculiarities" arise from misinterpretations of mathematical expressions.
GAI reconstructs the physical picture of quantum mechanics from a mathematical perspective, clarifying misinterpreted experimental phenomena such as "quantum entanglement" and "delayed choice." It demonstrates that these effects can be fully understood within the framework of classical coherence and global constraints. For instance, quantum entanglement is often described as "action at a distance"—two particles, no matter how far apart, seem to influence each other instantaneously. To Einstein, this appeared as "spooky action at a distance." However, GAI analyzes it mathematically: entanglement is merely the global correlation of the wave function, akin to the coherent superposition of classical waves. It is not non-local "magic" but an ordinary correlation arising from initial conditions—much like a pair of gloves, which remain mirror-symmetric no matter how far they are separated. Experiments such as Bell inequality tests only prove the existence of correlations, not causal action at a distance.
Another classic puzzle is the delayed choice experiment: the measurement apparatus "decides" whether to observe the path only after the photon has passed through the double slits, seemingly altering the "past." GAI explains that this is not time reversal but the holistic nature of the wave function: the Schrödinger equation is a non-local mathematical form, and experimental outcomes are statistical manifestations under global approximation, without causal paradoxes. Through such analysis, GAI discovers that quantum mechanics "contains no peculiarities"—all phenomena can be understood as mathematical projections of classical waves. It resolves issues of entanglement, delayed choice, and measurement.
The contribution of GAI lies in "demystification": it proves that the mathematical framework of quantum mechanics is self-consistent, but we should not regard formal "peculiarities" as physical essence. This paves the way for subsequent theories, guiding the transition from mathematical analysis to physical realism.
NQT: Quantum Mechanics as Merely the "Spectral Representation" of Classical Mechanics
Natural Quantum Theory (NQT) is a natural extension of GAI, advancing further to reveal that quantum mechanics is essentially the "spectral representation" of classical mechanics. The so-called "quantization" does not involve introducing new postulates or hidden variables but is a natural outcome of spectralized descriptions of constrained systems. Therefore, quantum theory neither requires nor permits the introduction of any "super-classical" assumptions. All genuine quantum laws can be naturally derived from the spectral structure under classical constraints.
In NQT, the quantum "wave function" is not a probability cloud but an abstract representation of energy density; superposition is not the "both alive and dead" cat paradox but an illusion of mathematical linear superposition; quantization arises from classical resonance under boundary conditions, not mysterious "quantum leaps." Various commutation relations stem from the requirements of mathematical expression. NQT discovers that these "strange concepts" originate from the point-particle assumption and infinite approximations, leading to theoretical flaws such as infinite self-energy and vacuum energy divergence.
The core principles of NQT include the following:
Spectralization Principle: All quantum behaviors originate from the spectral characteristics of systems under spatiotemporal constraints. The Planck constant embodies the scale of spectral discreteness; the Schrödinger equation is the expression of the classical dynamical Hamiltonian in the spectral domain; the so-called "wave function" is merely a mathematical representation of the system's spectral components, not a "state of material existence."
Local–Global Duality: Instrumental Quantum Theory (IQT) retains only global spectral information, losing local, instantaneous, magnetic, and causal structures. NQT emphasizes that quantum systems possess local dynamics under global constraints, with their eigenstructures manifesting as discrete energy levels in the spectrum. Local information, such as trajectories, positions, and momenta, remains valid but cannot be precisely represented in the spectral form.
Orbital Resonance and Natural Locking: The stability of atomic orbits arises from natural locking conditions: the electron's fluctuations form a self-consistent resonance with the electromagnetic potential field. Orbital currents thus exhibit zero-resistance characteristics—namely, microscopic superconductivity. This provides a unified picture for magnetism and superconductivity.
Reality of Magnetic Moment and Misinterpretation of Spin: The so-called "intrinsic spin" is not an independent quantum degree of freedom but the result of the electron's real spatial rotation and magnetic moment distribution. The electron's intrinsic angular momentum is 1, appearing as 1/2 in atoms due to Thomas precession. This fact reveals that spin 1/2 is merely a perspectival effect, not an ontological attribute.
A key discovery is the mishandling of spin and magnetic moment in instrumental quantum theory. Traditional QM treats spin as an abstract quantum number (half-integer for fermions), but NQT reveals it to be the real rotation of extended field structures, with the magnetic moment as its natural outcome. This resolves dilemmas in early quantum theory: for example, the wave packet model fails to maintain particle stability (due to diffusion), and soliton theory fails to explain internal magnetism. NQT proposes that stability originates from the natural closure of magnetic flux—energy circulates self-sustainably in vortices, requiring no external maintenance, but altering it demands external force.
This insight in NQT stems from a return to classical realism: QM is its spectral projection, with flaws like "wave function collapse" merely byproducts of mathematical approximation. By restoring finite particle scales (~Compton wavelength) and real field vortices, NQT eliminates unnecessary complex concepts.
Further Exploration: Issues in Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model
NQT extends beyond QM to scrutinize deeper problems in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) and the Standard Model (SM). QFT treats particles as field excitations but introduces abstract gauge fields and virtual particles, leading to infinities and renormalization challenges. NQT contends that these are "catastrophes" of the point-particle and infinite approximations—gauge fields are not fundamental entities but compensations for magnetic moment direction choices; mass arises from the storage of field perturbation energy, not the Higgs mechanism.
Reassessment of QFT and SM: The point-particle model in instrumental quantum theory leads to the "mass origin problem," introducing gauge fields and the Higgs mechanism as patches. NQT points out that these abstract mechanisms stem from the loss of magnetic moment and local rotation. If the physical reality of magnetism and spatial rotation is restored, many "spontaneous symmetry breakings" and "gauge group" complexities will naturally dissolve.
In the SM, the weak interaction and strong interaction are regarded as independent forces, but NQT hypothesizes they may be higher-order effects of electromagnetic-magnetic coherence. For example, strong force confinement arises from self-confined magnetic flux vortices, while weak force parity violation corresponds to the global orientation of magnetic moments. This seeks to restore the realism of quantum theory: transforming abstract mathematics into real physical images, avoiding "mysterious charges" or "non-locality."
Given the developmental stage of the theory, this section contains a higher degree of speculation.
Theoretical and Experimental Correspondence
Natural Quantum Theory not only restores realism philosophically but also receives verification and support at the experimental level. The following table presents selected experimental evidence, contrasted with NQT's interpretations and the flaws of Instrumental Quantum Theory (IQT):
| Experimental Evidence | Interpretation in Natural Quantum Theory | Problems in Instrumental Quantum Theory |
|---|---|---|
| Recursive Paradox of Energy Level Splitting | Splitting is a statistical manifestation of configurations, not internal reorganization of a single atom | Leads to infinite splitting and self-consistency collapse |
| Existence of Forbidden Transitions | Low-energy light is continuous fluctuation, not particles; transition probability depends on resonant coupling | Photon model cannot allow forbidden transitions |
| Mössbauer Effect | Emission of low-energy γ photons is non-instantaneous, reflecting overall lattice absorption | Traditional instantaneous emission model cannot explain it |
| Quantum Zeno Effect and Anti-Zeno Effect | Measurement alters global constraints rather than "collapsing the wave function" | Cannot explain the existence of the anti-Zeno effect |
| Electron Scattering Experiments | Reveals electrons have finite structure (Compton wavelength scale) | Point-particle assumption fails |
| Atomic Inner Currents and Magnetic Moments | Orbital resonance forms zero-dissipation loops | Instrumental quantum theory abstracts away magnetic components |
These correspondences demonstrate how NQT explains experiments using classical spectra and field realism, while avoiding the abstract pitfalls of IQT.
Restoring Realism in Quantum Theory: A New Physical Perspective
The evolution from GAI to NQT constitutes a complete journey of quantum mechanics' "demystification": GAI eliminates "peculiarities" through mathematical analysis, proving QM's self-consistency; NQT reveals its classical roots, exposes flaws, and restores realism—particles are real field vortices, phenomena arise from comprehensible physical mechanisms, not strange concepts. This is not merely theoretical innovation but a philosophical revelation: the quantum world is not "bizarre" but our misreading of the spectral projection of classical physics.
In the future, this framework may reshape particle physics: experiments such as precise magnetic moment measurements or high-energy collisions could verify magnetic flux stability and mass origins. NQT invites us to reexamine nature: perhaps the "realism" of quantum theory lies hidden in the simple mirror of classical mechanics, awaiting our clearer vision.