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Hydrodynamic Quantum Mechanics: Wave Function as Superfluid Phase

Authors: Harrison, Robert William;

Hydrodynamic Quantum Mechanics: Wave Function as Superfluid Phase

Abstract

This paper develops a hydrodynamic derivation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics within the Hydrodynamic Quantum Gravity (HQG) programme. Using the Madelung transformation, the Schrödinger equation is written in amplitude–phase form and shown to be exactly equivalent to (i) a continuity equation for a conserved density and (ii) an Euler-type momentum equation augmented by the “quantum potential” term. In this interpretation, the quantum potential is treated as an effective dispersive stress associated with structured vacuum dynamics, rather than as a purely formal mathematical artefact. The paper reviews how standard quantum features appear naturally in the hydrodynamic variables: interference and diffraction as phase-driven flow, stationary states as time-harmonic solutions, and quantisation as a consequence of single-valued phase (circulation) constraints. It also discusses how pilot-wave style dynamics can be expressed in this language, and surveys laboratory analogues (including walking-droplet experiments) as phenomenological motivation and intuition-building, without claiming identity between the analogue systems and the quantum vacuum. Interpretation note: “Superfluid/condensate” language is used here as an effective mathematical/analogue description of vacuum behaviour; the paper does not assert a material substrate or an operationally accessible preferred rest frame. This paper is part of a series. Companion preprints develop the gravitational and electromagnetic components of the HQG framework and discuss additional open problems and testable predictions. Discussion and feedback: https://github.com/Gptham123456/Hydrodynamic-Quantum-Gravity/discussions

Keywords

quantum hydrodynamics, wave function, phase field, Euler equation (effective), Born rule, pilot wave, preprint, Madelung transformation, spin, pilot-wave (de Broglie–Bohm), quantisation, superfluid analogy, Bohm quantum potential, vacuum dynamics (effective description), quantum potential, phase field (effective theory), de Broglie-Bohm, superfluid vacuum, vorticity, zero-point field, vacuum dynamics (effective theory), measurement problem,, topological defects (context), hydrodynamic interpretation of quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics, continuity equation, walking-droplet experiments, walking droplets, pilot-wave formulation, circulation quantisation, emergent quantum behaviour, entanglement, analogue models

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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
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