From Stochastic Tunneling to Mass: A Dual-Domain Hypothesis for Particle Physics

Why is the photon massless, the electron light, and the proton heavy? In the Standard Model, these are free parameters. This paper proposes a new answer: mass is not intrinsic; it is a measure of entanglement topology. A single quantum with no entanglement (the photon) is massless. Weak global entanglement gives the electron its small mass. Strong internal peer entanglement makes quarks heavier. Deep three‑dimensional entanglement among three quarks gives the proton and neutron their large masses. This framework builds on a dual‑domain ontology in which spacetime emerges from a timeless Quantum Domain of pure stochasticity. The tunneling angle θ, previously introduced to unify relativity and quantum mechanics, is reinterpreted as the bias of stochasticity: at rest θ = 90°, in motion θ decreases, and the Lorentz factor γ = 1/sin⁡θ follows naturally. The speed limit c corresponds to θ = 0°, representing a state in which stochasticity is fully constrained into directional propagation. The paper explains why three quarks form stable baryons (0D: confined, 1D: metastable, 3D: stable), offers a topological interpretation of electric charge, and suggests testable hints including temperature dilation, coherence increase with speed, and gravity‑induced decoherence. This work is conceptual; formalization is left for future collaboration. Keywords: Stochastic tunneling; Entanglement; Tunneling angle θ; Dual‑domain ontology; Quantum foundations; Dark matter; Dark energy; Quantum gravity