  A new, realist interpretation of the quantum measurement processes is given.
In this scenario a quantum measurement is a non-equilibrium phase transition in
a ``resonant cavity'' formed by the entire physical universe including all its
material and energy content. Both the amplitude and the phase of the quantum
mechanical wavefunction acquire substantial meaning in this picture, and the
probabilistic element is removed from the foundations of quantum mechanics, its
apparent presence in the quantum measurement process is viewed as a result of
the sensitive dependence on initial/boundary conditions of the non-equilibrium
phase transitions in a many degree-of-freedom system. The implications of
adopting this realist ontology to the clarification and resolution of lingering
issues in the foundations of quantum mechanics, such as wave-particle duality,
Heisenberg's uncertainty relation, Schrodinger's Cat paradox, first and higher
order coherence of photons and atoms, virtual particles, the existence of
commutation relations and quantized behavior, etc., are also presented.
