Description This work develops a process-based theoretical framework for the emergence of time from entangled discrete quantum processes, addressing one of the most fundamental open problems in quantum theory and the foundations of physics. Time is not assumed as a primitive, continuous, or external parameter. Instead, it is shown to arise as an emergent relational property of discrete process units—P-Tacts (П-такты)—and the entanglement structures connecting them. The central methodological shift of this work consists in replacing time-based evolution with process succession and graph structure. Quantum dynamics is described in terms of discrete operational steps, whose relational organization generates effective notions of temporal order, simultaneity, directionality, and causal structure. Within this approach, temporal relations are encoded in process graphs, rather than introduced through background spacetime or external clocks. The framework provides a unified and physically grounded explanation of: the emergence of temporal order without a fundamental time parameter, indefinite causal order as a natural consequence of superposed process graphs, quantum switch phenomena without higher-order causal primitives, and the appearance of classical temporal flow as a coarse-grained limit of dense entangled process networks. Special attention is given to higher-order organizational structures of process graphs. The progression from simple graph configurations to pentagonal, pentagram, and ultimately pentacle topologies illustrates how increasing structural complexity gives rise to rich temporal and causal behavior. These structures are purely processual and topological, not geometric embeddings in spacetime. The approach is fully compatible with unitary quantum mechanics and naturally aligns with the Everett interpretation, where branching corresponds to divergence of process paths rather than wave-function collapse. Temporal structure is therefore observer-relative and emergent, while the global process graph remains fully quantum and coherent. This article is not a standalone result but part of a coherent and cumulative research program devoted to establishing P-Tacts as primitive units of quantum theory and demonstrating how time, causality, spacetime structure, and information flow emerge from discrete quantum processes. For full conceptual and technical context, the present work should be read together with the following foundational publications. Related works (research program) Pavlov, M. (2026). Quantum Switch as an Emergent Process Structure from Discrete Process Tacts (П-такт)https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18498181 Pavlov, M. (2026). Quantum Switch and Teleportationhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18509173 Pavlov, M. (2026). Emergence of Causality, Gravity, Time, and Three-Dimensional Space from Discrete P-Tact (П-такт) Dynamicshttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18504244 Pavlov, M. (2026). P Tact (П-такт) as the Primitive Unit of Quantum TheoryZenodo, 07.02.2026https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18516711 Pavlov, M. (2026). Indefinite Causal Order as Superposition of Process Graphshttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18519010 Pavlov, M. (2026). Everett Interpretation Formalized via P-Tact (П-такт) Path Graphshttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18524745 Cited text (for quotation and reference) This work demonstrates that time is not a fundamental parameter of quantum theory but an emergent property arising from the entanglement structure of discrete quantum processes (P-Tacts). Temporal order, simultaneity, and causal relations are encoded in the topology of process graphs rather than imposed through background spacetime or external clocks.
Mikhail Pavlov (Sun,) studied this question.