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Shadow Theory

Section 8 4 October 2026

Randomized returns and finite preparation

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8 Randomized returns and finite preparation

Invariant-law uniqueness does not imply that repeated returns physically prepare that law. We now examine one fully specified randomized controller, consolidating [18]. The network is the two-particle device of example 5.3, fixed at any sufficiently small calibrated δ>0\delta>0 satisfying its endpoint and curvature conditions. Use whitened coordinates z=2A01/2qz=\sqrt2 A_0^{1/2}q and write γ=γ6=N(0,I6)\gamma=\gamma_6=N(0,I_6). The wavefunction is the same known ψ0\psi_0 for all candidate configuration laws. Nonequilibrium is permitted in that law; there is no initial Born-law assumption.

8.1 A countable determining library and controller

Choose the five Gaussian curvature families supplied by the active coordinate tree and the two reserved-plane links in lemma 5.1. Use the trial frequencies ν=101\nu=101, ζ=103\zeta=103, which exceed all root frequencies for (1,2,7,14,24,43)(1,2,7,14,24,43). Sample each analytic corrected family at rational parameters densely in a sufficiently small admissible interval. Each command has duration 2π2\pi.

For the nonlinear commands choose a countable set of real compact plane profiles dense, with common compact supports, in Cc∞(R2)C_c^\infty(\R^2). For definiteness put b(t)=e−1/tb(t)=e^{-1/t} for t>0t>0 and b(t)=0b(t)=0 otherwise, and

χ(t)=b(4−t2)b(4−t2)+b(t2−1). \chi(t)=\frac{b(4-t^2)}{b(4-t^2)+b(t^2-1)}.

Use χ(s1/R)χ(s2/R)\chi(s_1/R)\chi(s_2/R) times finite real trigonometric polynomials of frequencies πm/(3R)\pi m/(3R), m∈Z2m\in\mathbb Z^2, with rational coefficients, for positive integers RR. Smooth periodic Fourier approximation on the larger square, followed by the fixed cutoff, gives the stated density. For every pair f,gf,g set

Mfg=1+∑h=−Lrf,−Lrg(∥h∥∞+∥∇h∥∞+∥∇2h∥∞). M_{fg}=1+\sum_{h=-L_rf,-L_rg} \bigl(\|h\|_\infty+\|\nabla h\|_\infty+\|\nabla^2h\|_\infty\bigr).

Here the Hessian norm is the operator norm. Let rfgr_{fg} be the least nonnegative integer such that 2−rfg≤(16Mfg2)−12^{-r_{fg}}\le(16M_{fg}^2)^{-1}. Include the physical rectangles of section 3 at amplitudes ϵfg,k=2−rfg−k\epsilon_{fg,k}=2^{-r_{fg}-k}, k≥1k\ge1. On these rectangles the density multiplier differs from one by at most 1/161/16, and its logarithm has Hessian norm at most 1/15+1/225<11/15+1/225<1. Thus its density is positive and its negative logarithm has Hessian at least II. The global construction applies. Pad each four-unit-time nonlinear history by a holding interval of duration 2π−42\pi-4; holding has identity configuration map at this real preparation.

Enumerate all of these commands as F1,F2,…F_1,F_2,\ldots, retaining their physical histories. Their physical inverses and an idle command also have duration τ=2π\tau=2\pi. The enumeration may repeat a map without changing the argument. It has no uniform description-complexity or amplitude bound. Each selected command and each completed finite word nevertheless uses finite resources in the specified externally controlled model.

Lemma 8.1 (Determining countable family)

The maps FjF_j have γ\gamma as their unique common invariant Borel probability.

Proof

Invariance under dense Gaussian parameter samples passes to each complete analytic curve by bounded continuous tests. The exact-group argument of lemma 4.3 then gives rotational invariance. For each sampled plane pair, take the sequence of squared-amplitude difference quotients in lemma 3.2. Uniform displacement bounds give

∫∇φ⋅Πr[∇f,∇g] dμs=0,φ∈Cc∞(R2). \int\nabla\varphi\cdot\Pi_r[\nabla f,\nabla g]\,d\mu_s=0, \qquad \varphi\in C_c^\infty(\R^2).

These identities extend to all compact profiles. In fact, for a compact vector field bb, write

Πrb=b−∇λb,Lrλb=hb:=div⁡b−(2s1,4s2)⋅b,λb=−∫0∞Pthb dt. \Pi_r b=b-\nabla\lambda_b,\quad L_r\lambda_b=h_b:=\diver b-(2s_1,4s_2)\cdot b, \quad \lambda_b=-\int_0^\infty P_t h_b\,dt .

The Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroup satisfies ∥Dkλb∥∞≤∥Dkhb∥∞/(2k)\|D^k\lambda_b\|_\infty\le\|D^kh_b\|_\infty/(2k) for k≥1k\ge1, by differentiating its explicit contracting flow. Common-support C∞C^\infty approximation therefore gives global convergence of the projected fields. The distributional argument of theorem 3.4 determines the plane marginal. Rotations and its Gaussian marginal determine the full law by the characteristic-function argument in section 6. Limits occur in a test for invariance, not in the implementation of an individual command.

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At each cycle boundary draw a command independently of the initial configuration and the complete past:

Pr⁡(C=0)=34,Pr⁡(C=+j)=Pr⁡(C=−j)=2−j8,j≥1. \Pr(C=0)=\frac34,\qquad \Pr(C=+j)=\Pr(C=-j)=\frac{2^{-j}}8,\quad j\ge1. (8.1)

Command +j+j performs FjF_j, command −j-j performs Fj−1F_j^{-1}, and command 00 holds. The controller retains the consumed command word Wn=(C1,…,Cn)W_n=(C_1,\ldots,C_n). Equivalently, supply an independent identically distributed tape with law (8.1) and retain its consumed prefix. Between boundaries, the network obeys the Schrödinger and guidance equations already specified. Its conditional Hamiltonian uses only the fixed pair spring, local traps, and the nonlinear plane controls.

This is a hybrid externally controlled architecture, not an autonomous microscopic construction of the command register or clock. Freshness, fairness, and independence of the classical tape are statistical resources. There is no Born-distributed quantum coin, new equilibrium pointer, thermal bath, postselection, or configuration-dependent stopping in this specification. Completion means n<∞n<\infty cycles, elapsed time 2πn2\pi n, and restored ray and holding Hamiltonian. The memory is retained, even if unread.

8.2 Actual kernel and asymptotic behavior

On finite signed measures the one-cycle kernel is

Pμ=34μ+18∑j≥12−j((Fj)∗μ+(Fj−1)∗μ). \mathsf P\mu=\frac34\mu+\frac18\sum_{j\ge1}2^{-j} \bigl((F_j)_*\mu+(F_j^{-1})_*\mu\bigr). (8.2)

The series converges in variation norm. On relative densities in L2(γ)L^2(\gamma) put

Ujf=f∘Fj−1,Q=12∑j≥12−j(Uj+Uj∗),P=34I+14Q. U_jf=f\circ F_j^{-1},\qquad Q=\frac12\sum_{j\ge1}2^{-j}(U_j+U_j^*),\qquad P=\frac34I+\frac14Q.

Every UjU_j is unitary by measure preservation, with adjoint composition by FjF_j. Hence QQ is a self-adjoint Markov contraction, and

12I≤P≤I,⟨h,(I−P)h⟩=18∑j≥12−j∥h−Ujh∥22. \frac12I\le P\le I,\qquad \langle h,(I-P)h\rangle =\frac18\sum_{j\ge1}2^{-j}\|h-U_jh\|_2^2. (8.3)

The actual law after nn rounds is (Pnf0)γ(P^nf_0)\gamma when μ0=f0γ\mu_0=f_0\gamma. We use the convention

TV⁡(μ,ν)=sup⁡B∣μ(B)−ν(B)∣=12∥μ−ν∥var, \operatorname{TV}(\mu,\nu)=\sup_B|\mu(B)-\nu(B)|=\tfrac12\|\mu-\nu\|_{\rm var},

where the supremum is over Borel sets.

Proposition 8.2 (Conditional mixing and its singular boundary)

If μ0≪γ\mu_0\ll\gamma, then TV⁡(μn,γ)→0\operatorname{TV}(\mu_n,\gamma)\to0. More generally, if the singular mass of μ0\mu_0 relative to γ\gamma is ss, then

lim⁡n→∞TV⁡(μn,γ)=s. \lim_{n\to\infty}\operatorname{TV}(\mu_n,\gamma)=s.

No uniform rate or spectral gap is asserted.

Proof

The fixed functions of PP are constants. Indeed, (8.3) makes a real fixed function invariant under every UjU_j. If it were nonconstant, a bounded strictly positive nonconstant function of it, normalized to integral one, would give a second common invariant probability, contrary to lemma 8.1. The same argument applies to real and imaginary parts.

The spectral theorem on [1/2,1][1/2,1] gives Pnf→∫f dγP^nf\to\int f\,d\gamma in L2(γ)L^2(\gamma) [20]: integrate ∣λn−1{1}(λ)∣2|\lambda^n-1_{\{1\}}(\lambda)|^2 against the spectral measure and use dominated convergence. For a density f∈L1(γ)f\in L^1(\gamma), put fB=min⁡(f,B)f_B=\min(f,B). Markov contraction gives

∥Pnf−1∥1≤2∥f−fB∥1+∥PnfB−∫fB dγ∥1. \|P^nf-1\|_1\le2\|f-f_B\|_1+ \left\|P^nf_B-\int f_B\,d\gamma\right\|_1.

Take n→∞n\to\infty and then B→∞B\to\infty to obtain total-variation convergence.

For a singular initial component, saturate a Borel null support under the countable group of finite words in all FjF_j and their inverses. This remains a γ\gamma-null invariant Borel set, and contains that component at every finite round. It supplies the lower bound ss. Convergence of the normalized absolutely continuous component and convexity supply the matching upper limit. This does not classify singular stationary laws of the averaged kernel merely from common-map invariant-law uniqueness.

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8.3 Finite rounds and independent random completion

Theorem 8.3 (Finite-round reverse bound)

For every initial Borel probability and every finite nn,

TV⁡(μn,γ)≥2−nTV⁡(μ0,γ). \operatorname{TV}(\mu_n,\gamma) \ge2^{-n}\operatorname{TV}(\mu_0,\gamma). (8.4)

Thus a finite-round output is invariant under every return in the library if and only if the input was already γ\gamma.

Proof

Write P=34I+14Q\mathsf P=\tfrac34I+\tfrac14\mathsf Q. The Markov kernel Q\mathsf Q contracts variation, so every finite signed measure satisfies

∥Pσ∥var≥34∥σ∥var−14∥Qσ∥var≥12∥σ∥var. \|\mathsf P\sigma\|_{\rm var} \ge\tfrac34\|\sigma\|_{\rm var}-\tfrac14\|\mathsf Q\sigma\|_{\rm var} \ge\tfrac12\|\sigma\|_{\rm var}.

Apply this iteratively to σ=μ−γ\sigma=\mu-\gamma, since Pγ=γ\mathsf P\gamma=\gamma. The characterization of invariant outputs is theorem 1.1. This bound applies after averaging the command labels, not just to an individual invertible history.

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A smooth explicit countermodel makes the remaining discrepancy observable. Put

c=e−1/2,h(z)=cos⁡z1−c,f0=1+14h,μ0=f0γ. c=e^{-1/2},\qquad h(z)=\cos z_1-c,\qquad f_0=1+\tfrac14h,\qquad \mu_0=f_0\gamma.

The probability μ0\mu_0 has a normalized, strictly positive Schwartz density with respect to Lebesgue measure in physical coordinates. Its relative density f0f_0 is bounded above and below by positive constants. Gaussian integration gives

V:=∥h∥22=(1−e−1)22>0. V:=\|h\|_2^2=\frac{(1-e^{-1})^2}{2}>0.

By (8.3),

Eμncos⁡Z1−c=14⟨h,Pnh⟩≥14 2−nV>0, \mathbb E_{\mu_n}\cos Z_1-c =\tfrac14\langle h,P^nh\rangle \ge\tfrac14\,2^{-n}V>0, (8.5)

where Z1Z_1 denotes the first coordinate at the indicated completion. Its law is readable by the implemented linear-coordinate transport of proposition 7.2 followed by the stated ideal position detector. No microscopic detector law is inferred.

The spectral measure ρh\rho_h has no atom at 11. Consequently one additional randomized exact-return cycle changes that bounded statistic strictly:

Eμncos⁡Z1−Eμn+1cos⁡Z1=14∫[1/2,1)λn(1−λ) dρh(λ)>0. \mathbb E_{\mu_n}\cos Z_1-\mathbb E_{\mu_{n+1}}\cos Z_1 =\frac14\int_{[1/2,1)}\lambda^n(1-\lambda)\,d\rho_h(\lambda)>0.

At least one constituent return therefore changes the statistic despite the unchanged quantum endpoint.

Let N<∞N<\infty almost surely be independent of the configuration and the entire command tape. The completed operator is TN=∑mPr⁡(N=m)Pm=g(P)T_N=\sum_m\Pr(N=m)P^m=g(P), with g(λ)=EλNg(\lambda)=\mathbb E\lambda^N. It obeys

TN≥E[2−N]I,E[2−N]>0. T_N\ge\mathbb E[2^{-N}]I,\qquad \mathbb E[2^{-N}]>0.

Thus the same smooth countermodel satisfies

EμNcos⁡Z1−c≥14VE[2−N]>0. \mathbb E_{\mu_N}\cos Z_1-c \ge\tfrac14V\mathbb E[2^{-N}]>0. (8.6)

This holds even when EN=∞\mathbb EN=\infty. For finite mean, Jensen gives the further lower bound V2−EN/4V2^{-\mathbb EN}/4. Configuration- or command-dependent stopping is not represented by this operator and is not covered by (8.6).

Lemma 8.4 (Countable-command universal-reset obstruction)

An almost-surely finite procedure whose output, for each initial point, is one of countably many finite-word images cannot send every smooth strictly positive bounded relative density to the same nonatomic law, with a common transition kernel for all those inputs.

Proof

Let K(z,⋅)K(z,\cdot) be that kernel. It is countably supported for each zz at which the procedure terminates almost surely. Suppose every 1+ηh1+\eta h, for bounded smooth centered hh and sufficiently small η\eta, is sent to a fixed nonatomic law ν\nu. This includes density one. Subtract its equation from that for the perturbed density. For each bounded continuous φ\varphi,

∫h(Kφ−νφ) dγ=0. \int h(K\varphi-\nu\varphi)\,d\gamma=0.

Take h=χ−∫χ dγh=\chi-\int\chi\,d\gamma, χ∈Cc∞\chi\in C_c^\infty, and use the equation for density one. Distributional uniqueness gives Kφ=νφK\varphi=\nu\varphi almost everywhere. Take the countable sine and cosine tests at rational frequencies. On a common full-measure set the corresponding characteristic functions agree; continuity extends equality to all frequencies. Hence K(z,⋅)=νK(z,\cdot)=\nu on that set, contradicting its countable support.

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The lemma permits adaptive command choices if completed outputs still have the stated finite-word form and the kernel is common to the input class. It excludes universal reset of that regular basin, not an accidental reset of one input or every possible preparation architecture. The specific factor 2−n2^{-n} requires the 3/43/4 holding probability; it is not asserted for all lazy kernels.

8.4 Retained memory and a reversible echo

Let πn\pi_n be the law of WnW_n, and let FwF_w denote its finite word. For μ0=f0γ\mu_0=f_0\gamma the conditional and marginal densities are

fw(z)=f0(Fw−1z),fn(z)=∑wπn(w)fw(z). f_w(z)=f_0(F_w^{-1}z),\qquad f_n(z)=\sum_w\pi_n(w)f_w(z).

All logarithms are natural. We write D(μ∥ν)D(\mu\Vert\nu) for relative entropy and I(Z;W)I(Z;W) for the relative entropy of the joint law with respect to the product of its marginals. Measure preservation gives an exact information identity.

Proposition 8.5 (Controller correlation identity)

If D(μ0∥γ)<∞D(\mu_0\Vert\gamma)<\infty, then

D(μ0∥γ)=D(μn∥γ)+I(Zn;Wn). D(\mu_0\Vert\gamma) =D(\mu_n\Vert\gamma)+I(Z_n;W_n). (8.7)

The joint relative entropy with respect to γ⊗πn\gamma\otimes\pi_n is the initial relative entropy. The recorded word permits a physical inverse echo restoring the initial configuration pointwise.

Proof

The joint density relative to γ⊗πn\gamma\otimes\pi_n is fw(z)f_w(z). For every word, change of variables gives ∫fwlog⁡fw dγ=∫f0log⁡f0 dγ\int f_w\log f_w\,d\gamma=\int f_0\log f_0\,d\gamma. Insert log⁡fw=log⁡fn+log⁡(fw/fn)\log f_w=\log f_n+\log(f_w/f_n) and sum over the countable words. The two terms are the marginal relative entropy and mutual information. The convention 0log⁡0=00\log0=0 handles zero densities; the finite-entropy case follows by the relative-entropy chain rule, or by truncating the logarithms in this nonnegative divergence identity. This proves (8.7).

After nn cycles perform the recorded inverse commands in reverse order. All have physical time-reversed realizations from section 2, and their total duration is 2πn2\pi n. Their composed configuration map is Fw−1F_w^{-1}. It restores Z0Z_0 at every point and restores the quantum ray and holding Hamiltonian. The command record, rather than knowledge of Z0Z_0 or f0f_0, determines the echo.

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For bounded f0f_0, total-variation convergence and uniform continuity of xlog⁡xx\log x on its bounded range imply D(μn∥γ)→0D(\mu_n\Vert\gamma)\to0. Equation (8.7) then puts the lost marginal relative entropy into controller correlation. With hbin(p)=−plog⁡p−(1−p)log⁡(1−p)h_{\rm bin}(p)=-p\log p-(1-p)\log(1-p), each command has entropy H(C)=hbin(1/4)+(3/4)log⁡2H(C)=h_{\rm bin}(1/4)+(3/4)\log2, so I(Zn;Wn)≤nH(C)I(Z_n;W_n)\le nH(C). These are information statements, not thermodynamic heat estimates.

For the explicit countermodel, the echo gives the fixed event discrepancy

Pr⁡echo(∣Z1∣≤12)−Pr⁡γ(∣Z1∣≤12)=14∫−1/21/2(cos⁡y−e−1/2)e−y2/22π dy≥14(cos⁡(1/2)−e−1/2)(2Φ(1/2)−1)>0.\begin{aligned}&\Pr_{\rm echo}(|Z_1|\le\tfrac12)-\Pr_\gamma(|Z_1|\le\tfrac12)\\ &\quad=\frac14\int_{-1/2}^{1/2} (\cos y-e^{-1/2})\frac{e^{-y^2/2}}{\sqrt{2\pi}}\,dy\\ &\quad\ge\frac14\bigl(\cos(1/2)-e^{-1/2}\bigr) \bigl(2\Phi(1/2)-1\bigr)>0. \end{aligned}

Here Φ\Phi is the standard normal cumulative distribution function. The bound is independent of the preceding cycle count. Hiding the command tape may remove this feedback option but does not change the finite-round kernel or its obstruction. Erasing it is a new physical operation requiring its own model.

For any fixed subsequent measurable readout or independently specified Markov response, data processing gives record-law distance at most TV⁡(μn,γ)\operatorname{TV}(\mu_n,\gamma). Thus the controller permits arbitrarily accurate approximation for each absolutely continuous source, with no general uniform finite waiting time. It does not supply a history-independent cross-state assignment, arbitrary apparatus equilibrium, or independent trials. Stationarity of an absolutely continuous boundary law under this actual kernel would force γ\gamma by proposition 8.2, but that stationarity is another statistical premise, not a finite preparation consequence.