The Coherence Propagation Constant Empirical Discovery Across Physical and Social Systems

We report the empirical discovery of a dimensionless ratio — the Coherence Propagation Constant (Upsilon) — that governs the persistence of organized structure in open, driven systems across physical, biological, and social domains. Upsilon = tau * Delta_phi / D:C relates three measurable quantities: feedback delay (tau), phase alignment between coupled subsystems (Delta_phi), and the balance between dissipation and available correction capacity (D:C). Systems whose feedback dynamics maintain Upsilon within a narrow viability band exhibit self-sustaining coherence; systems outside this band either freeze or decohere, regardless of energy availability.

The constant was discovered empirically through a relational gauge measurement program spanning astrophysical, biochemical, cognitive, and governance datasets — not derived from theory and then tested. Nine gauges (Resonance, Minimization, Entropy, Feedback, Alignment, Symmetry, Optimization, Potential, Harmony) were applied as standardized measurement instruments. Cross-domain analysis revealed that persistent structures consistently satisfy the Upsilon viability condition.

Key results:

- Three derivative invariants emerge as domain-specific expressions: Informational Metabolism (IM = Delta_Meaning / Delta_Entropy), Harmonic Governance (HG = Delta_phi / tau_e), and Cognitive Thermodynamics (CT = Effort * Delta_Clarity / Energy).

- Cross-domain gauge measurements show tight clustering: R = 0.93 +/- 0.01, E = 0.78 +/- 0.02, M = 0.41 +/- 0.03, H = 0.90 +/- 0.01.

- The microphysical value Upsilon = 2/3 follows from Landauer thermodynamics and detailed balance, matching the measured recycling efficiency at 0.67 sigma. The bandwidth exponent gamma = 1 - Upsilon = 1/3 matches at 1.2%.

- Six control states (DENY, HOLD, PAUSE, THROTTLE, ADJUST, ELIGIBLE) translate gauge readings into governance decisions under three ethical guarantees: bounded optimization, correction availability, and mutual dignity.

The discovery order matters: the framework was built for ethical system governance. The cross-domain invariant was discovered when formalizing the measurement instruments — not when looking for a physical law. The gauges were fixed before any specific physical system was analyzed.

Full measurement architecture — gauge definitions, normalization protocols, control logic, and thermodynamic constraints — documented for independent reproduction.

Part of the Coherence Institute publication sequence. This paper establishes priority on the Upsilon discovery and is citable by all subsequent papers in both operational and physics tracks.