ΔC Rupture and Decoherence: Quantum Collapse as Bandwidth Failure in a Stiffened Causal Substrate (v2. 0) This paper concludes the six-part ΔC physics series. It extends the dynamic causal substrate model into the quantum regime, proposing a mechanical resolution to the long-standing problem of wavefunction collapse. We present a framework in which quantum collapse is not a spontaneous or observer-driven event, but a deterministic failure mode: the rupture of a finite-bandwidth causal substrate when informational load exceeds structural capacity. Core Results: Bandwidth Saturation: The substrate supports a maximum local update rate, Φₘax, beyond which superposition states can no longer be sustained. Collapse Mechanism: Quantum collapse occurs when total causal load exceeds the local bandwidth limit, triggering a discontinuous substrate rupture. Born Rule Emergence: Collapse probabilities are shown to scale with substrate tension associated with each eigenstate, providing a mechanical derivation of quantum statistics. Stiffness Equation: Incorporates the nonlinear stiffening law ζ (Φ), previously defined in Papers 1–5, now extended to define rupture conditions at the quantum limit. Experimental Validation: We analyze recent results from Aguilar & Lutz (2026), who demonstrated work extraction from quantum heat engines beyond the Carnot limit. We interpret this as empirical support for "Registry Lock" — a causal saturation effect predicted by the ΔC model during entangled state loading. Version 2. 0 Updates: Complete formalization of the collapse threshold using substrate stiffness and bandwidth equations Integration of stiffness dynamics across gravitational, inertial, temporal, and quantum domains Empirical connection to 2026 Stuttgart experiments on quantum thermodynamics Series Summary: This work completes the ΔC framework, unifying the geometry of General Relativity with the probabilistic behavior of Quantum Mechanics through a common substrate-based formalism: Paper 1: A Dynamic ΔC Substrate for Gravity and Electromagnetism Paper 2: Δ₀ — The Universal Return Field Paper 3: Gravipressure — Gravity and Time Dilation as Substrate Mechanics Paper 4: The Chronon Field — Inertia and Causal Latency Paper 5: Time Is Not a Dimension — Causal Accumulation in a Discrete Substrate Paper 6: ΔC Rupture and Decoherence — Quantum Collapse DOI References: Paper 1: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 17073364 Paper 2: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 17073638 Paper 3: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 17082227 Paper 4: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 17089747 Paper 5: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 17148920
Stephen Massa (Mon,) studied this question.