Understanding Quantum Mechanics: Clarification on Wave-Function Collapse and Electromagnetic Interactions

Quantum mechanics, often perceived as a mysterious and enigmatic field, presents fascinating phenomena that challenge our classical understanding of the physical world. Among these phenomena is the concept of wave-function collapse. This article aims to clarify the misunderstandings surrounding wave-function collapse and the interactions between electromagnetic waves and matter. Let's delve into the essence of these concepts and explore a more intuitive interpretation.

Wave-Function Collapse and Quantum Interactions

The idea of wave-function collapse has been a subject of much debate and confusion. The wave-function, which typically describes the probability amplitude of a particle's state, does not collapse in the strict sense. Instead, what we observe is a change in the wave-function based on the interaction between the electromagnetic wave and the matter. When we attempt to measure a property (e.g., the phase angle of a matter wave), our measurement itself alters the system. This does not mean the wave-function collapses in the traditional sense but rather that the interaction introduces new information, leading to an apparent change in the wave-function.

For instance, consider the situation where we force an electromagnetic wave to interact with another electromagnetic wave. The interaction changes the original wave, and the result is a product of the interaction between the original wave and the matter. This is not mysterious but a logical and simple outcome of the interaction.

Measurement and Wave Interactions

When a measurement is performed, the wavefunction changes. However, this change is not due to some mysterious collapse but due to the interaction itself. Those who attempt to measure the phase angle of an emitted matter wave often fail to measure it accurately relative to the spatial and temporal position of the receiver. This is because the wave and the receiver do not synchronize precisely, leading to the impression of a collapse. Instead, the problem is the lack of synchronous emission and detection, rather than any inherent property of the wave-function.

My interpretation suggests that the matter wave's phase angle cannot be measured synchronously with the receiver's position and time. This idea is somewhat similar to the toy model proposed by Sabine Hossenfelder and her colleague, as well as the reason why our ears are not phase-sensitive. It aligns with the notion that the phase of the wave is not easily measurable due to the nature of the interaction.

Interestingly, some scholars, like Max Born, came close to resolving Schr?dinger's complex wave equation by simply ignoring the phase, thereby simplifying quantum mechanics. Instead, the community introduced and tried to measure a random phase, leading to continued mystification and confusion.

Electromagnetic Interactions as a 3D Matrix of Photons

Electromagnetic interactions can be better understood by conceiving the electromagnetic field as a three-dimensional matrix structure composed of tiny photons. Electrons in the light source transfer energy to the photons in the lower left-hand corner, which then transfer the energy in a wave pattern through the matrix, ultimately reaching the electrons in the receiver. The field does not actually wave but acts as a three-dimensional matrix with high-momentum photons represented by bright areas and low-momentum photons by dark areas.

This interpretation clarifies the wave-particle duality: photons act as particles, and the entire field behaves as a wave. This model explains how light, when emitted as a tiny photon particle, travels as a transverse wave, then gets absorbed as a tiny photon particle by the receiver. The critical issue is that the emission and absorption processes do not happen simultaneously; hence, the sudden and apparent absorption is a result of the wave propagation, not a mysterious collapse.

By understanding these concepts more clearly, we can appreciate the elegance and simplicity underlying the seemingly complex phenomena of quantum mechanics. The use of a three-dimensional matrix model for the electromagnetic field provides a more intuitive and coherent framework for understanding these interactions.