Elementary Observations: Building Blocks of Physical Information Gain

Area of Science:

• Quantum mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Information theory

Background:

• Information gain in experiments is crucial for scientific advancement.
• Previous work has laid the groundwork for understanding quantum-instrument interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the discontinuous nature of experimental information gain.
• To analyze the lifecycle of observable events (EOs) in physical systems.
• To quantify the observational value and thermodynamic costs associated with information gain.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of quantum-mechanical matter-instrument interactions.
• Focus on the specific case of photon detection.
• Quantification of observational value in Planck quantum units.
• Assessment of entropy removal costs based on Landauer's principle.

Main Results:

• Information gain is a discontinuous process, transforming quantum interactions into macroscopic observable events (EOs).
• Observable events (EOs) progress through four distinct phases: initiation, detection, erasure, and reset.
• The observational value of EOs is measurable in Planck quantum units (h).
• Entropy removal from instruments post-observation incurs an energetic cost of at least two Landauer minimum energy bounds (ELa) per entropy unit (kB).

Conclusions:

• The process of experimental information gain is fundamentally discontinuous and involves distinct phases.
• The measurement and reset cycle of quantum instruments have quantifiable observational and thermodynamic costs.
• Understanding these processes is key to advancing experimental physics and quantum information science.