A Geometric Approach to Quantum Mechanics

Knot Physics assumes that spacetime is a branched manifold. Quantum properties come from interactions between the branches. Elementary particles are knots in the spacetime manifold. Forces come from interactions between the knots.






A Geometric Model of Quantum Mechanics

This 3-minute video introduces how quantum properties arise from a branched, embedded spacetime manifold.

A Geometric Model of Quantum Mechanics

This 3-minute video introduces how quantum properties arise from a branched, embedded spacetime manifold.




Theory Summary


An overview of the entire theory, from simple assumptions about the spacetime manifold through particles, quantum mechanics, and forces


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Theory Summary


An overview of the entire theory, from simple assumptions about the spacetime manifold through particles, quantum mechanics, and forces


Learn more

Featured Papers


Geometric Inflation and Late-Time Cosmic Acceleration from Embedded Spacetime Dynamics

Ali Nayeri & Clifford Ellgen (Jan 2026)

Abstract: We develop a cosmological framework in which spacetime is treated as a four-dimensional manifold dynamically embedded in a higher-dimensional flat Minkowski background. Ultrarelativistic motion of the embedded manifold induces strong time-dilation effects between embedding time and proper time, generating a genuine phase of inflation with strict exponential expansion for comoving observers, without invoking an inflaton field or scalar potential. The inflationary phase satisfies the defining kinematic criteria, including a shrinking comoving Hubble radius, and admits a natural graceful exit as time dilation weakens. At late times, large-scale embedding dynamics give rise to a geometric expansion attractor that yields sustained cosmic acceleration without a bare cosmological constant. More generally, the attractor can be quasi-stationary, allowing a slow weakening of the effective acceleration rate while remaining non-phantom. Small deviations from uniform embedding motion excite long-wavelength co-dimensional modes that generate subdominant oscillatory corrections to the expansion rate. We derive the structure of linear perturbations arising from embedding fluctuations and show that they naturally produce nearly scale-invariant curvature perturbations with a suppressed tensor-to-scalar ratio. This framework provides a unified geometric origin for inflation, primordial structure, and late-time acceleration, without new fields or fine tuning.

Preprint

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Finite Path Integrals on Stochastic Branched Structures

Roukaya Dekhil, Clifford Ellgen, & Bruno Klajn (Jul 2025)

Abstract: In this paper, we present a statistical model of spacetime trajectories based on a finite collection of paths organized into a branched manifold. For each configuration of the branched manifold, we define a Shannon entropy. Given the variational nature of both the action in physics and the entropy in statistical mechanics, we explore the hypothesis that the classical action is proportional to this entropy. Under this assumption, we derive a Wick-rotated version of the path integral that remains finite and exhibits both quantum interference at the microscopic level and classical determinism at the macroscopic scale. In effect, this version of the path integral differs from the standard one because it assigns weights of non-uniform magnitude to different paths. The model suggests that wave function collapse can be interpreted as a consequence of entropy maximization. Although still idealized, this framework provides a possible route toward unifying quantum and classical descriptions within a common finite-entropy structure.

Preprint

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Additional papers cover theory fundamentals as well as a variety of topics, including entanglement and dark matter.

Recent Seminars


Particle Knots and Entropic Dynamics

This one-hour talk hosted by Information Physics Institute (IPI) summarizes key results from Knot Physics, including quantum gravity.

Topics in Knot Physics


A natural transition from quantum to classical

Schrödinger’s Cat

At the center of physics is a conundrum that has persisted since the early days of quantum mechanics.

A Model of Flow with Zero Viscosity

Superfluidity

In Knot Physics, superfluidity results from the properties of the branched spacetime manifold.

Physics Beyond the Event Horizon

Physics Beyond the Event Horizon

In Knot Physics, a model of quantum gravity extends our knowledge of physics beyond the event horizon.

Fermion as a knot in spacetime

Visualizing Knots in Spacetime

In Knot Physics, particles are knots in the spacetime manifold.

Atomic orbitals

The Pauli Exclusion Principle

The geometry of elementary fermions prevents identical fermions from occupying the same quantum state.

Team


Cliff Ellgen

Cliff Ellgen

Lead Researcher

Ordinal Research Institute

B.S. in Mathematics, Caltech

Ali Nayeri

Ali Nayeri

Researcher

Ordinal Research Institute & Clear Quantum

Ph.D. in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)

Garrett Biehle

Garrett Biehle

Researcher

Ordinal Research Institute

Ph.D. in Physics, Caltech

Bruno Klajn

Bruno Klajn

Researcher

Zagreb School of Economics and Management

Ph.D. in Physics, University of Zagreb

Bassem Sabra

Bassem Sabra

Researcher

Notre Dame University–Louaize

Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Ohio University

Sebastian Zając

Sebastian Zając

Researcher

SGH Warsaw School of Economics

Ph.D. in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, University of Silesia in Katowice

Dominique Kang

Dominique Kang

Program Manager

Ordinal Research Institute

B.S. in Economics, Arizona State University

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