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arXiv · 1705.00612

Thermodynamic cost and benefit of memory

Susanne Still
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Abstract

This letter exposes a tight connection between the thermodynamic efficiency of information processing and predictive inference. A generalized lower bound on dissipation is derived for partially observable information engines which are allowed to use temperature differences. It is shown that the retention of irrelevant information limits efficiency. A data representation strategy is derived from optimizing a fundamental physical limit to information processing: minimizing the lower bound on dissipation leads to a data compression method that maximally retains relevant, predictive, information. In that sense, predictive inference emerges as the strategy that least precludes energy efficiency.

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Susanne Still. 2019-10-03. Thermodynamic cost and benefit of memory. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.124.050601

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