Quantum Measurement Timeline Framework (QMTF)

We introduce the Quantum Measurement Timeline Framework (QMTF): an operational, target-relative account of quantum measurement that is timeline-complete and probability-correct. Core idea Declare a measurement target explicitly: what is registered, where it is registered, and when it is admitted as “the measurement,” at stated finite resolutions. Treat “measurement” as a localized quantum instrument, not as “anything that interacts.” Pipeline Target frame: 𝒟* = { (x_i, t_j) } (declared spacetime bins on which the measurement is admitted). Pre-measurement output: a sub-normalized joint spacetime support f_xt(x_i,t_j) = Tr(ρ E_(x_i,t_j)) p_surv = Σ_(x,t)∈𝒟* f_xt(x,t) Prediction layers (explicitly separated): Per-run (unconditional): P_abs over 𝒟* ∪ {∅} Conditional (given survival): P_cond defined only when p_surv > 0 Null handling (explicit): Includes a null outcome ∅ and a null decomposition (missed target vs reporting shortfall). Formal guarantees (in Appendix A) Formation→detection plane equivalence (“timeline equivalence”): evaluate at a formation plane and propagate, or evaluate directly at detection—predictions agree (up to discretization). No-signalling for localized instruments (operational locality). Finite-resolution stability via coarse-graining: predictions are stable under binning and converge under refinement. Worked constructions + artifacts Double slit benchmark (standard screen statistics) with a resolution-aware recombination/formation plane. Which-slit variant using an explicit instrument, with a tunable decoherence factor. Photon baseline (no intervening interactions) to show the same target logic in the simplest case. Runnable computational artifacts are released alongside the manuscript, with quality gates for verification. Positioning QMTF is interpretation-neutral: it does not assume any ontology for ψ. It is compatible with time-of-event POVMs and dilation (as an optional compatibility note, not a required ingredient).