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arXiv · 2407.20418

Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics of a Superconducting Szilard Engine

Kuen Wai Tang·Kyle J. Ray·James P. Crutchfield
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Abstract

We implement a Szilard engine using a 2-bit logical unit consisting of inductively coupled quantum flux parametrons (QFPs) -- Josephson-junction superconducting circuits with applications in both the classical and quantum information processing regimes. Detailed simulations show that it is highly thermodynamically efficient while functioning as a Maxwell demon -- converting heat to work. The physically-calibrated design is targeted to direct experimental exploration. However, variations in Josephson junction fabrication introduce asymmetries that result in energy inefficiency and low operational fidelity. We provide a design solution that mitigates these practical challenges. The resulting platform is ideally suited to probe the thermodynamic foundations of information processing devices far from equilibrium.

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Kuen Wai Tang, Kyle J. Ray, James P. Crutchfield. 2024-07-29. Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics of a Superconducting Szilard Engine. https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.20418

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