The information-theoretic foundation of thermodynamic work extraction

Journal article

Abstract In this paper I demonstrate a novel distinction between work and heat, in terms of the distinguishability of states. Specifically, I show that if it is possible to extract different amounts of work deterministically from a physical system prepared in any one of a set of states, then those states must be distinguishable from one another. This result is formulated independently of scale and of particular dynamical laws; it also provides a novel connection between thermodynamics and information theory, established via the law of conservation of energy. This connection, unlike the well-known one between information and the second law, is exact, i.e., it does not depend on coarse-graining or ensemble approximation. Albeit compatible with these conclusions, existing thermodynamics approaches cannot provide a result of such generality, because they are scale-dependent (relying on ensembles or coarse-graining) or tied to particular dynamical laws. This result provides a foundation for thermodynamics that is both broader and more secure than existing ones, with implications for the theory of von Neumann’s universal constructor.

Authors: Marletto, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Journal: Journal of Physics Communications
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 055012-055012
• Publication date: 2022-05-27
• DOI: 10.1088/2399-6528/ac70a7
• EISSN: 2399-6528
• ISSN: 2399-6528
• Language: English
• Keywords: Laws of thermodynamics; Second law of thermodynamics; Set (abstract data type); Von Neumann architecture; Mathematical analysis; Quantum mechanics; Non-equilibrium thermodynamics; Pure mathematics; Scale (ratio); Conservation law; Physics; Foundation (evidence); Computer science; Work (physics); Statistical physics; Connection (principal bundle); Granularity; Mathematics; Generality; Thermodynamics; Law