Version 4: The Single-Slit Diffraction Reinterpreted: A Particle Fragmentation and Sorting Mechanism for Optical Pattern Formation

The single-slit diffraction pattern—a central bright maximum flanked by progressively fainter alternating bands—has historically been considered a definitive proof of the wave nature of light. This paper presents an alternative, purely particle-based reinterpretation of this phenomenon within the established framework of photon fragmentation (Majeed, 2026a; 2026d). It proposes that diffraction does not arise from the superposition of secondary wavelets (Huygens' principle), but rather from the physical fragmentation and subsequent spatial sorting of photons as they interact with the slit edges. The degradation of photons is governed by Spatial Viscosity and Quantum Entropic Drag, a deterministic resistance of the quantum vacuum that causes Luminiferous Erosion—the progressive shedding of photon "skin" into cold, undetectable vapor. Photons passing through the center remain intact, forming the bright core; photons interacting with the edges are scraped into low-energy fragments, which are then deflected according to their spin and energy to form the side-lobes. This model provides a fully causal explanation for the dependence of diffraction on slit width and material. The paper further establishes a mathematical foundation for this mechanism through an exponential energy decay model, introducing the Photon Decay Coefficient (α) , linking it to the historical "tired light" concept while distinguishing the present mechanism as a specific physical process. This reinterpretation eliminates the need for wave-particle duality, offering a physically realistic alternative grounded in the primacy of space. This Version DOI:10.5281/zenodo.21947632