THE BI-STABLE FLAVOR POTENTIAL AND WKB BETA DECAY (V v6)

Abstract

In the standard electroweak theory, the free neutron lifetime (tau_n ≈ 879.4 s) is parameterized phenomenologically via the Fermi coupling constant G_F and the CKM matrix element V_ud, without providing a mechanical or geometric origin for the decay rate. In the pregeometric framework of FCD-RBv6, we derive the neutron lifetime from first principles as a quantum snap-through elastic buckling transition across a bi-stable potential well E(lambda). The proton (Mode A, AAB) and the neutron (Mode B, ABB) represent the two distinct geometric ground states of a tri-coordinated Einstein-Rosen throat. The transition rate is evaluated via pure semiclassical WKB barrier penetration under a collective mass inertia M_eff ≈ 2.91 × 10^6 MeV, explaining the enormous 10^-26 suppression factor without phenomenological fine-tuning. Crucially, the topological braid lock Delta^2 = (sigma_1 sigma_2)^3 of the B3 group remains strictly invariant throughout the decay; the transition is a pure adiabatic quantum tunneling process through the elastic barrier without thermal activation or strand breakage. Finally, we demonstrate that inside atomic nuclei, phase-locking of adjacent toroids (Delta phi = pi) dynamically suppresses this tunneling, conferring absolute stability onto bound neutrons