A quantum interpretation of the physical basis of mass-energy equivalence

We know energy and mass of a particle can be connected by E = mc². What is the physical basis behind this relation? Historically, it was thought that it is based on the principle of relativity (PR). However, a careful examination of the literature indicated that this relation was not directly derived from PR. Instead, Einstein came to this conclusion mainly based on his intuitive thinking that radiation and matters behave similarly. Following this hint, we suspect that the mass-energy equivalence could be based on the quantum principle of wave-particle duality. It is well known that both photon and electron can behave as a particle as well as a wave. Using a wave model which treats particles as excitations of the vacuum, we show that the relations E = mc² can be directly derived from Planck’s relation. This wave hypothesis has several advantages; not only can it explain naturally why particles can be created in the vacuum; it also predicts that a particle cannot travel faster than the speed of light. This hypothesis can also be tested in experiment.