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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Observer as a Local Breakdown of Atemporality

Authors: Gabriel, Giani Moreno;

The Observer as a Local Breakdown of Atemporality

Abstract

The nature of time remains a central problem in fundamental physics, spanning quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and relativity. In this work, we develop an observer-dependent framework in which time is not assumed as a fundamental background parameter, but emerges operationally from restricted access to a globally timeless quantum state. Building on and extending the Page–Wootters mechanism, we introduce a unified relational formula that shows how three traditionally distinct aspects of temporality arise from the same structure: quantum dynamics from conditioning on physical clock states, thermodynamic irreversibility from partial tracing over inaccessible degrees of freedom, and observer-relative time from the locality of the clock subsystem. No modification of unitary quantum mechanics, collapse postulates, or fundamental time flow is required. Analytical arguments and numerical simulations demonstrate that, in the limit of complete information access, all temporal ordering disappears, while effective Schrödinger dynamics and an arrow of time emerge naturally under informational and observational constraints. These results support a central claim: time is not a property of the universe itself, but a property of descriptions generated by physical observers embedded within it.

Keywords

Quantum physics

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
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