Deterministic Coherence Unification_ From E = mc² to the Phase Law of Reality

CODES Framework Abstract This paper derives a single deterministic coherence law from which energy–mass equivalence, gravitation, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum behavior appear as domain-specific limits of lawful phase persistence. Energy is interpreted as coherent phase transfer, mass as resonance lock at the Compton rhythm, and c as the maximal lawful rate of phase realignment. Entropy is redefined as cumulative coherence drift (ΔPAS / εdrift), and the fine-structure constant α is shown to express the ratio of local to universal phase-rate quantities. The universal persistence criterion PASₕ ≥ θL ∧ ΔPASᵦeta ≤ εdrift unifies relativistic, quantum, and thermodynamic laws within a bounded-drift framework: every observable phenomenon arises from coherence maintenance or decay. Classical limits reproduce Maxwell flux continuity, Einstein curvature, and Boltzmann entropy as lawful projections of deterministic phase alignment. Empirical validation pathways are outlined for εdrift ∝ V^−½ scaling, α-variation, gravitational lensing asymmetry, and biological re-lock phenomena.