Thermodynamic reversibility in feedback processes
Abstract
The sum of the average work dissipated plus the information gained during a thermodynamic process with discrete feedback must exceed zero. We demonstrate that the minimum value of zero is attained only by feedback-reversible processes that are indistinguishable from their time-reversal, thereby extending the notion of thermodynamic reversibility to feedback processes. In addition, we prove that in every realization of a feedback-reversible process the sum of the work dissipated and change in uncertainty is zero.
- Publication:
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EPL (Europhysics Letters)
- Pub Date:
- July 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1209/0295-5075/95/10005
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1104.0332
- Bibcode:
- 2011EL.....9510005H
- Keywords:
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- Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 4, figures, accepted in EPL, expanded discussion of thermodynamic reversibility