A Possible Model for the Mass Spectrum of Elementary Particles

Abstract

A conjecture on the origin of elementary particle masses is discussed, based on the micro-universe and quantum state reduction concepts. The reduction of the quantum state of a real particle is understood to take place objectively; in every interaction event with other real particles, the quantum state of the particle is annihilated and a new one is created. In these events, the particle is localised in time and in space, with a maximum precision established by the uncertainty principle. The minimum energy required for this localisation constitutes the chief contribution to the particle mass. A further contribution is provided by the self-interaction of the particle during localisation, which occurs within a finite duration. Some algorithms for estimating these two contributions are presented and discussed.