Thermodynamic Cost of Random-Time Protocols

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Neri, Izaak
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Neri, Izaak
author_facet Neri, Izaak
contents Systems that are driven by a randomly timed, external protocol can seemingly violate the second law of thermodynamics. We show that this thermodynamic paradox is resolved if the outcome of the random time is stored in a memory device. Specifically, we show that the average work required to erase the memory is always larger than the average work gained from the protocol. We also discuss concrete setups that measure random times directly without continuous monitoring. Taken together, this paper discusses the relationship between temporal information and thermodynamics. This framework is relevant for external protocols employing random times, such as, stochastic resetting protocols and cyclically driven heat engines that use randomly timed protocols.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_07175
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Thermodynamic Cost of Random-Time Protocols
Neri, Izaak
Statistical Mechanics
Systems that are driven by a randomly timed, external protocol can seemingly violate the second law of thermodynamics. We show that this thermodynamic paradox is resolved if the outcome of the random time is stored in a memory device. Specifically, we show that the average work required to erase the memory is always larger than the average work gained from the protocol. We also discuss concrete setups that measure random times directly without continuous monitoring. Taken together, this paper discusses the relationship between temporal information and thermodynamics. This framework is relevant for external protocols employing random times, such as, stochastic resetting protocols and cyclically driven heat engines that use randomly timed protocols.
title Thermodynamic Cost of Random-Time Protocols
topic Statistical Mechanics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.07175