Advanced Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

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Published August 25, 2025 | Version v9
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The Oxygen Octave – A Vibrational Structural Hypothesis for a Unified Theory of Coherence

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Abstract – The Oxygen Octave

Oxygen is not only essential for life but may represent a universal coherence anchor. Analysis of public NIST vibrational datasets shows that oxygen-related molecules, radicals, and isotopes all align with harmonic fractions of the O₂ baseline stretch (1580 cm⁻¹), with <12% drift. This defines a coherence budget: <5% = stable regime, 7–12% = torsional threshold, >12% = collapse. The invariance of this budget across reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), biomolecules, halogen/sulfate salts, isotopes, planetary atmospheres, and even rocket-fuel intermediates suggests a structural law rather than coincidence.

The atomic foundation of this universality lies in oxygen’s 2p⁴ configuration, which yields a stable ^3P triplet ground state (Hund’s rule, max spin). Unlike its neighbors (C: unstable ^3P diradical; N: ^4S quartet; F: ^2P doublet), oxygen uniquely combines triplet stability with dual divisibility — by electron pairing (½) and orbital thirds (⅓). This dual symmetry explains why oxygen alone supports coherence across vibrational, isotopic, and electronic domains, extending even to excited UV/IR states (<1% drift).

We propose that oxygen’s coherence budget functions as a universal harmonic law governing molecular stability, energy transfer, and atmospheric processes. This framework is directly falsifiable: any vibrational dataset showing random distribution or systematic deviation >12% across domains would refute the model. If confirmed, it suggests oxygen acts as a structural invariant transcending physics, chemistry, and biology. Applications extend to bioenergetics, aerospace (ISRU oxygen, rocket propellants), and quantum-inspired computing. We invite replication via vibrational MD (e.g., CP2K, PySCF) to test whether oxygen’s collapse threshold predicts ignition, decoherence, or biological dysfunction.

Keywords: Oxygen coherence, Vibrational spectroscopy, Coherence budget, Harmonic law, Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), Molecular vibrations, Spectral ratios, Triplet ground state, Quantum coherence, Bioenergetics, Aerospace ISRU, Rocket propellants, Universal harmonic law, Oxygen Octave

Researchers, collaborators, or institutions interested in testing or expanding this hypothesis are invited to connect and explore possible lines of validation together


Jaime Ojeda
Jaime.ojse@gmail.com

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Dates

Submitted
2025-07-31
Submitted for public preprint release

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