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Optimal finite-time erasure of a classical bit
Patrick R Zulkowski1, Michael R DeWeese2
1Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA and Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|October 30, 2014
Summary
Minimizing heat during information erasure is key for small-scale computing. This study reveals optimal erasure cycles for classical bits, showing excess heat depends on system deviation from equilibrium.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Information Theory
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Information erasure is thermodynamically irreversible and generates heat.
- Minimizing heat dissipation is critical for advancing miniaturized information processing systems.
- Optimal procedures for efficient information erasure remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive closed-form expressions for maximally efficient erasure cycles.
- To analyze the heat generated during the deletion of a classical bit stored in a double-well potential.
- To understand the relationship between system non-equilibrium and excess heat generation.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of closed-form expressions for optimal erasure cycles.
- Analysis of a classical bit stored by particle position in a double-well potential.
- Comparison of exact optimal cycles with linear response framework predictions.
Main Results:
- Obtained closed-form expressions for maximally efficient information erasure cycles.
- Found excess heat is proportional to the squared Hellinger distance divided by cycle duration.
- Demonstrated close agreement between the exact optimal cycle and linear response protocols.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a theoretical framework for optimizing information erasure efficiency.
- Quantified the excess heat generated beyond the Landauer limit based on system non-equilibrium.
- Validated the findings through comparison with established theoretical frameworks.
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