Quantum reality
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
Quantum reality or Quantum universe was the term used of a universe or a parallel universe, where all matter resonated on a quantum level with a unique constant signature. There are an infinite number of quantum universes that have asynchronous quantum signatures from one another. Under normal circumstances the universes are separated from one another by barriers.
Different quantum realities was a theory of quantum physics. In the theory all the infinite number of possible outcomes of all events that occur happen in alternate quantum realities. The theory was proven in 2370, when Worf experienced several different realities as a result of passing through a quantum fissure while returning from the bat'leth tournament on Forcas III. (TNG: "Parallels")
[edit] Background
The writers of Star Trek, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, were asked about the implications of the new alternate reality that was introduced in the film in an interview. They explained the new reality runs parallel to the prime reality as a new quantum reality, as the concept was explained by Data in the episode "Parallels". [1]
[edit] Apocrypha
According to the 2008 novel Fearful Symmetry by Olivia Woods, the mirror universe is also a parallel quantum universe, as quantum signature scans used to match Worf with his USS Enterprise-D in "Parallels", were also able to differentiate natives of the mirror universe from those of the prime reality.
In the novelization of Star Trek by Alan Dean Foster, before being teased by his classmates, young Spock is asked by the computer in the learning center on Vulcan: "What is the central assumption of quantum cosmology?" To which Spock replies: "Everything that can happen does happen in equal and parallel universes."
