What does this research mean for the field?

Entropy growth and long-lived saturation can emerge from strictly unitary global dynamics under restricted access in a finite-dimensional Page–Wootters clock–system–environment model. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore the relationship between entropy, decoherence, and the concept of relational time within a deterministic quantum framework.

February 20, 2026Open Access

Effective Entropy, Decoherence, Thermality, and Relational Time from Deterministic Dynamics under Restricted Access

Key Points

The research aims to explore the relationship between entropy, decoherence, and the concept of relational time within a deterministic quantum framework.
Developed a finite-dimensional Page–Wootters clock–system–environment model.
Emphasized unitary global dynamics with restricted access.
Implemented numerical scripts for supplementary analysis.
Demonstrated emergence of entropy growth and long-lived saturation under unitary dynamics.
Illustrated entanglement-driven mixedness in clock-conditioned states.
Provided a benchmark for understanding equilibration in quantum contexts.

Abstract

This manuscript presents a finite-dimensional Page–Wootters clock–system–environment construction in which entropy growth and long-lived saturation emerge from strictly unitary global dynamics under restricted access. The model provides an explicit relational-time benchmark illustrating entanglement-driven mixedness and equilibration in clock-conditioned reduced states. The work is situated within quantum foundations and relational approaches to time. Supplementary numerical implementations and scripts will be made available following journal publication.

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