{
  "id": "oai:papers.qnfo.org:semantic-fidelity-an-operational-measure-for-borrowed-quantum-terms-and-the-scal",
  "slug": "semantic-fidelity-an-operational-measure-for-borrowed-quantum-terms-and-the-scal",
  "title": "Semantic Fidelity: An Operational Measure for Borrowed Quantum Terms and Their Scale of Failure",
  "authors": [
    "Rowan Brad Quni-Gudzinas"
  ],
  "abstract": "Quantum‑computing projects routinely import terminology from quantum optics, condensed‑matter physics, and high‑energy theory. When the ontological commitments of a borrowed term diverge from the circuit‑model formalism, engineers may make design decisions that are sub‑optimal or infeasible, contributing to multi‑billion‑dollar delays. We formalize operational semantic fidelity F_S^(n)(T,C)=1-D_TV^(n)(T,C), where D_TV^(n) is the total‑variation distance between the outcome distributions generated by a term’s native ontology O_T and the target circuit context C on the decision‑relevant observable set mathcal O_C. For the prototypical term “photon”, we compute a per‑element divergence of 1/2 at a balanced two‑boson beamsplitter, derive the compounding law D_TV^(k)=1-2^-k for k independent interference elements, and show that a decision‑relevance threshold ε=0.9 is crossed at k^*=4 (≈ 8 photonic qubits). A sensitivity analysis explores how k^* varies with per‑element divergence δ and threshold ε. The measure converts ontological drift into a quantitative engineering specification, enabling systematic validation and falsification. Limitations, required assumptions, and a concrete next‑step experiment are discussed.",
  "abstract_markdown": "Quantum‑computing projects routinely import terminology from quantum optics, condensed‑matter physics, and high‑energy theory. When the ontological commitments of a borrowed term diverge from the circuit‑model formalism, engineers may make design decisions that are sub‑optimal or infeasible, contributing to multi‑billion‑dollar delays. We formalize **operational semantic fidelity** $F_S^{(n)}(T,C)=1-D_{TV}^{(n)}(T,C)$, where $D_{TV}^{(n)}$ is the total‑variation distance between the outcome distributions generated by a term’s native ontology $O_T$ and the target circuit context $C$ on the decision‑relevant observable set $\\mathcal O_C$. For the prototypical term “photon”, we compute a per‑element divergence of $1/2$ at a balanced two‑boson beamsplitter, derive the compounding law $D_{TV}^{(k)}=1-2^{-k}$ for $k$ independent interference elements, and show that a decision‑relevance threshold $\\varepsilon=0.9$ is crossed at $k^{*}=4$ ($\\approx$ 8 photonic qubits).  A sensitivity analysis explores how $k^{*}$ varies with per‑element divergence $\\delta$ and threshold $\\varepsilon$. The measure converts ontological drift into a quantitative engineering specification, enabling systematic validation and falsification. Limitations, required assumptions, and a concrete next‑step experiment are discussed.",
  "date": "2026-10-11",
  "first_published": "2026-10-11",
  "last_revised": "2026-10-21T09:01:21Z",
  "modified": "2026-10-21T09:01:21Z",
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  "peer_review_status": "Not independently peer-reviewed",
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  "doi": null,
  "doi_url": null,
  "url": "https://papers.qnfo.org/papers/semantic-fidelity-an-operational-measure-for-borrowed-quantum-terms-and-the-scal",
  "license_url": "https://legal.qnfo.org/",
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  "version_url": "https://papers.qnfo.org/papers/semantic-fidelity-an-operational-measure-for-borrowed-quantum-terms-and-the-scal/v/2.0.0",
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        "name": "Rowan Brad Quni-Gudzinas",
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    "titles": [
      {
        "title": "Semantic Fidelity: An Operational Measure for Borrowed Quantum Terms and Their Scale of Failure"
      }
    ],
    "publisher": "QNFO",
    "publicationYear": "2026",
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    "dates": [
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        "date": "2026-10-11",
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        "description": "Quantum‑computing projects routinely import terminology from quantum optics, condensed‑matter physics, and high‑energy theory. When the ontological commitments of a borrowed term diverge from the circuit‑model formalism, engineers may make design decisions that are sub‑optimal or infeasible, contributing to multi‑billion‑dollar delays. We formalize operational semantic fidelity F_S^(n)(T,C)=1-D_TV^(n)(T,C), where D_TV^(n) is the total‑variation distance between the outcome distributions generated by a term’s native ontology O_T and the target circuit context C on the decision‑relevant observable set mathcal O_C. For the prototypical term “photon”, we compute a per‑element divergence of 1/2 at a balanced two‑boson beamsplitter, derive the compounding law D_TV^(k)=1-2^-k for k independent interference elements, and show that a decision‑relevance threshold ε=0.9 is crossed at k^*=4 (≈ 8 photonic qubits). A sensitivity analysis explores how k^* varies with per‑element divergence δ and threshold ε. The measure converts ontological drift into a quantitative engineering specification, enabling systematic validation and falsification. Limitations, required assumptions, and a concrete next‑step experiment are discussed.",
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