{"id":754,"date":"2025-11-12T15:09:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T13:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/phynest\/?p=754"},"modified":"2025-11-25T16:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T14:40:03","slug":"energetics-of-information-from-timekeeping-to-computing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/phynest\/2025\/11\/12\/energetics-of-information-from-timekeeping-to-computing\/","title":{"rendered":"Energetics of Information: From Timekeeping to Computing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Research<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In this project, we aim to investigate the energetics of information processing by combining tools from statistical mechanics with recent advances in quantum and stochastic thermodynamics [1,2]<\/em>. Information is a physical resource, and its manipulation is constrained by thermodynamic laws\u2014an insight that goes back to Maxwell\u2019s demon and Landauer\u2019s principle. Despite the rapid progress in stochastic and quantum thermodynamics, many fundamental questions remain open regarding the ultimate energetic requirements of information processing at microscopic and quantum scales. Here, we will address some of these challenges in two main directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we will exploit statistical mechanics techniques\u2014such as random walks and
first-passage processes\u2014to go beyond average energetic costs and analyze fluctuations, variances, ergodicity breaking and extreme events. We will investigate optimal control strategies in both stochastic and quantum thermodynamics, aiming to optimize dynamical processes with respect to higher-order quantities rather than just mean values (see preliminary results in [3]<\/em>). We will apply these results to information erasure and, at a later stage, the characterization of the minimal energetic cost of timekeeping, using models of clocks built from quantum systems coupled to thermal environments [4]<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, we will address computation from a thermodynamic perspective. We will study the energetic requirements of analog models of computation, particularly (quantum) reservoir computing [5]<\/em>. We will investigate both fundamental bounds and tradeoffs between entropy production and accuracy, as well as practical principles for energy-efficient implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1] J. Goold et al, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 49, 143001 (2016).
[2] U. Seifert, Phys. A: St. Mech. 504, 176-191(2018).
[3] Miller, Perarnau-Llobet, SciPost Phys. 14, 072 (2023).
[4] A. N. Pearson et al, Physical Review X 11 (2), 021029.
[5] A. Sannia et al, Quantum 8, 1291 (2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Academic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Master in one of these areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n