Memory and entropy

Carlo Rovelli (1, 2)

1 CPT - Centre de Physique Théorique - UMR 7332
2 CPT - E4 Gravité quantique

I study the physical nature of traces (or memories). Surprisingly, (i) systems separation with (ii) temperature differences and (iii) long thermalization times, are sufficient conditions to produce macroscopic traces. Traces of the past are ubiquitous because these conditions are largely satisfied in our universe. I quantify these thermodynamical conditions for memory and derive an expression for the maximum amount of information stored in such memories, as a function of the relevant thermodynamical parameters. This mechanism transforms low entropy into available information.

Domaines: Relativité Générale et Cosmologie Quantique [gr-qc]

Carlo Rovelli. Memory and entropy. Entropy, 2022, 24 (8), pp.1022. ⟨10.3390/e24081022⟩. ⟨hal-03612527⟩