Abstract
Relativity, if rigorously interpreted, only fixes the differential structure of space-time without giving any particular prescription about the boundary of the space-time dimensions. On the other hand the boundary conditions have played a fundamental role since the earliest days of quantum mechanics. Wave-particle duality suggests the introduction in physics of the principle of intrinsic periodicity so that elementary particles turn out to be described as modulated harmonic vibrations of compact space-time dimensions. This enforces the undulatory nature of elementary particles and the local nature of relativistic space-time. For instance, as mathematically proven in recent publications, this conciliates special relativity with quantum mechanics [Found.Phys.,41:178,2011], gauge interactions with gravitational interaction [Ann.Phys.,327(6),1562,2012], and pinpoints a fundamental aspect of the Maldacena conjecture [Ann.Phys.,327(9),2354,2012]. Here, we present some conceptual elements of this innovative and elegant interpretation of the quantum world giving some historical and philosophical motivations.
Donatello Dolce