The Geometric Origin of the Quantum Potential in Complex Spacetime

Background: The unification of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics represents a fundamental challenge in theoretical physics due to their mutually exclusive conceptual foundations: continuous deterministic geometry versus probabilistic wave functions. While the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave theory offers a deterministic, trajectory-based alternative to the standard probabilistic framework, it introduces a non-local, ad-hoc "Quantum Potential" (Q) to account for phenomena such as interference and non-locality. The lack of a geometric origin for Q in standard spacetime remains a significant conceptual barrier to a fully unified theory. Purpose: This paper aims to resolve this interpretational crisis by proposing that the Quantum Potential is not a fundamental or mysterious external force, but rather a derived geometric artifact. We postulate that the physical universe is fundamentally a 4-dimensional Complex Manifold (ℂ<sup>4</sup>), extending the standard Riemannian spacetime manifold to include imaginary coordinates. Methods: To establish this geometric basis, we treat the quantum wave function not as an abstract probabilistic amplitude, but as a physical, holomorphic map describing a particle's deterministic trajectory through this complex spacetime. Utilizing the Cauchy-Riemann conditions, we demonstrate that the Bohmian amplitude (R) is strictly coupled to the particle's location in the imaginary dimension. We then analyze the dynamics of particles following geodesics within ℂ<sup>4</sup>. By projecting the complex geodesic equation of motion onto the observable real slice (ℝ<sup>4</sup>), we separate the real and imaginary components of the complex 4-velocity to observe the energy balance. Conclusions: Our derivation reveals that the Quantum Potential (Q) emerges naturally and is mathematically identical to the kinetic energy component associated with a particle's hidden motion in these imaginary dimensions. This formulation successfully recovers the predictions of the Schrödinger equation while removing the ad-hoc nature of Bohmian mechanics. Furthermore, it interprets quantum non-locality—such as the interference observed in the double-slit experiment—as purely local, deterministic geodesic motion around topological singularities in a curved complex manifold. Ultimately, this framework provides a unified geometric description wherein gravity is the curvature of real coordinates, electromagnetism is the torsion of imaginary coordinates, and quantum mechanics is inertial motion through this complex geometry.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Modern Physics
Published
2026-04-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmp.20261502.16
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

The Geometric Origin of the Quantum Potential in Complex Spacetime

Bhushan Poojary
American Journal of Modern Physics
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

The Geometric Origin of the Quantum Potential in Complex Spacetime

Bhushan Poojary
article en

Abstract

Background: The unification of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics represents a fundamental challenge in theoretical physics due to their mutually exclusive conceptual foundations: continuous deterministic geometry versus probabilistic wave functions. While the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave theory offers a deterministic, trajectory-based alternative to the standard probabilistic framework, it introduces a non-local, ad-hoc "Quantum Potential" (Q) to account for phenomena such as interference and non-locality. The lack of a geometric origin for Q in standard spacetime remains a significant conceptual barrier to a fully unified theory. Purpose: This paper aims to resolve this interpretational crisis by proposing that the Quantum Potential is not a fundamental or mysterious external force, but rather a derived geometric artifact. We postulate that the physical universe is fundamentally a 4-dimensional Complex Manifold (ℂ<sup>4</sup>), extending the standard Riemannian spacetime manifold to include imaginary coordinates. Methods: To establish this geometric basis, we treat the quantum wave function not as an abstract probabilistic amplitude, but as a physical, holomorphic map describing a particle's deterministic trajectory through this complex spacetime. Utilizing the Cauchy-Riemann conditions, we demonstrate that the Bohmian amplitude (R) is strictly coupled to the particle's location in the imaginary dimension. We then analyze the dynamics of particles following geodesics within ℂ<sup>4</sup>. By projecting the complex geodesic equation of motion onto the observable real slice (ℝ<sup>4</sup>), we separate the real and imaginary components of the complex 4-velocity to observe the energy balance. Conclusions: Our derivation reveals that the Quantum Potential (Q) emerges naturally and is mathematically identical to the kinetic energy component associated with a particle's hidden motion in these imaginary dimensions. This formulation successfully recovers the predictions of the Schrödinger equation while removing the ad-hoc nature of Bohmian mechanics. Furthermore, it interprets quantum non-locality—such as the interference observed in the double-slit experiment—as purely local, deterministic geodesic motion around topological singularities in a curved complex manifold. Ultimately, this framework provides a unified geometric description wherein gravity is the curvature of real coordinates, electromagnetism is the torsion of imaginary coordinates, and quantum mechanics is inertial motion through this complex geometry.

American Journal of Modern PhysicsVol. 15(2)
NIMS University (IN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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