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Unifying three perspectives on information processing in stochastic thermodynamics
1II. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|March 25, 2014
Summary
This study generalizes stochastic thermodynamics by deriving new second laws for feedback-driven systems with information reservoirs, like tapes. It reveals extra terms in entropy production beyond standard current-affinity relations.
Area of Science:
- Statistical mechanics
- Information theory
- Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
Background:
- Feedback-driven systems are crucial in thermodynamics, previously analyzed via measurement/control, tape interactions, or Maxwell demons.
- Existing models often lack a unified framework to incorporate information reservoirs.
- Stochastic thermodynamics traditionally focuses on systems without explicit information storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive generalized second laws for feedback-driven systems incorporating information reservoirs.
- To unify different approaches to feedback-driven systems under a single theoretical framework.
- To investigate the thermodynamic cost associated with information processing.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of generalized second laws from a master fluctuation theorem.
- Analysis of entropy production in systems with mutual information and information reservoirs.
- Comparison of derived laws with existing models of feedback-driven systems.
Main Results:
- The study derives generalized second laws applicable to systems with information reservoirs.
- Entropy production terms involving mutual information and Shannon entropy differences are identified.
- These terms include an extra component not present in standard current-affinity relations.
Conclusions:
- Stochastic thermodynamics is successfully generalized to include information reservoirs.
- The findings highlight the thermodynamic significance of information processing in physical systems.
- This work provides a more comprehensive understanding of energy-information interplay in non-equilibrium processes.
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