
This work develops a geometric interpretation of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$ as a phase accumulation arising from directed traversal through a structured spatial medium. Rather than treating $\alpha$ as an empirical coupling parameter, it is modeled as a dimensionless ratio that emerges from the interaction between a one-dimensional propagation path and an underlying distributed geometry. A physically realizable system is introduced in the form of an exponentially tapered helical conductor (the "trumpet coil"), defined by a radius profile\[r(z) = r_0 e^{-k z}.\]This geometry produces a constant logarithmic gradient,\[\frac{d}{dz} \ln r = -k,\]which enables uniform phase-slip accumulation along the length of the structure. A first-order geometric phase law is derived:\[d\phi = \alpha \, d\ln \Xi,\]where $\Xi$ represents a geometric ratio constructed from the balance of expansive and torsional contributions. Under minimal scaling assumptions, this reduces to\[\phi = 2\alpha \ln\left(\frac{r_w}{r_n}\right),\]where $r_w$ and $r_n$ are the wide and narrow radii of the tapered structure. This phase contribution is distinct from conventional transmission-line phase accumulation, which is given by\[\phi_{\mathrm{TL}} = \int_0^L \beta(z)\,dz, \quad \beta(z) = \omega \sqrt{L'(z) C'(z)},\]and scales primarily with frequency and length. In contrast, the geometric phase term depends only on the logarithmic taper ratio and is predicted to be frequency-invariant to first order. The total observed phase is therefore decomposed as\[\phi_{\mathrm{obs}} = \phi_{\mathrm{TL}} + \phi_{\mathrm{geom}} + \phi_{\mathrm{parasitic}},\]where the geometric contribution is isolated experimentally by subtracting the best-fit transmission-line baseline across multiple taper geometries. A key experimental prediction is a linear relationship:\[\frac{d\phi}{d\ln(r_w/r_n)} = 2\alpha,\]with a slope on the order of $10^{-2}$ radians. This magnitude is within the resolution of modern vector network analyzers, enabling a practical validation pathway. A distinguished configuration occurs at\[\frac{r_w}{r_n} = e^{\pi/2},\]for which the one-pass phase is $\pi \alpha$ and the symmetric round-trip phase is $2\pi \alpha$, suggesting a geometric closure condition. The results provide a testable framework in which electromagnetic coupling is interpreted as a geometric phase phenomenon. The proposed experiment offers a direct method to determine whether a logarithmic, frequency-independent phase contribution exists beyond conventional distributed electromagnetic behavior.
logarithmic geometry, geometric phase, fine structure constant, phase accumulation, trumpet coil, experimental physics, aether geometry, holonomy, transmission line theory, electromagnetic coupling
logarithmic geometry, geometric phase, fine structure constant, phase accumulation, trumpet coil, experimental physics, aether geometry, holonomy, transmission line theory, electromagnetic coupling
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