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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Why Something Exists and Why Space Has Three Dimensions - Variational Arguments from the K-Functional

Authors: Rosa, Joel Barrett;

Why Something Exists and Why Space Has Three Dimensions - Variational Arguments from the K-Functional

Abstract

We derive two foundational results from the K-functional framework. First, we prove that the K-functional has no fixed point corresponding to "nothing": the empty state is outside the domain, pure states are repelled by the K_ent barrier, and the maximally mixed state is repelled by K_rec. The K-minimum is necessarily a state with intermediate entropy, definite records, and nontrivial boundary geometry, a universe with structure. Existence is the unique variational compromise between the three competing K-sectors. Second, we derive the dimensionality of spacetime from the qubit as the minimal nontrivial quantum system. A single qubit's state space is the three-dimensional Bloch ball B³ with boundary S². The Bures metric on this space is the unique monotone Riemannian metric for d = 2 (Petz). The spacetime dimensionality follows: three local spatial directions from the qubit state space, plus one temporal direction from the K-flow, giving 3+1. The qubit is selected by four independent constraints: metric uniqueness, anomaly cancellation, spinor self-consistency (d = dim(Weyl in d² dimensions) has unique solution d = 2), and observational match. Eight observational consequences, stable orbits, 2-component spinors, knots, cross product, 2 GW polarizations, hydrogen spectrum, holography, weak force, all follow from d = 2.

Keywords

Bures metric, Petz classification, why something rather than nothing, Bloch ball, existence, K-Functional, 3+1 dimensions, General Physics (physics.gen-ph), High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th), spacetime dimensionality, spinor self-consistency, Quantum Physics (quant-ph), qubit, anomaly cancellation

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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
Average
Green