The Thermodynamic Boundary of State Resolution: Mapping Quantum Superposition to Classical Physicality via Emergent Spacetime

The quantum-to-classical transition—the precise physical mechanism by which stochastic wave functions resolve into definite classical observables—remains a foundational open question in physics. In this paper, we introduce the State Resolution Model (SRM), a non-axiomatic framework that formulates state reduction as an emergent thermodynamic throughput limit. Synthesizing the Margolus-Levitin quantum processing bound, the Bekenstein-Hawking holographic capacity, and the information-thermodynamics of Szilard and Landauer, we demonstrate that the threshold for classical state instantiation is governed by a derived dimensionless identity, the Szilard-Resolution Ratio: Φ_SZ = [N · C · (ħ ν)] / [H_SL · R_s]. Unobserved quantum systems undergoing unitary evolution operate non-locally in Hilbert space with zero Szilard-Landauer tax (H_SL = 0). Classical geometric instantiation occurs exclusively when environmental interaction drives local state complexity to the holographic capacity limit (Φ_SZ ≥ 1), forcing a non-unitary projection that dissipates entropy across the local apparent horizon. We show that the resulting decay of Hilbert space mutual information weaves an emergent Lorentzian metric g_μν. Finally, we derive two parameter-free asymptotic bounds—a qubit-density limit (ρ_Q^crit) and a critical mass-superposition limit (m_crit)—demonstrating the model’s theoretical consistency and providing principled fundamental constraints on physical information density.