A. K. Rajagopal, R. W. Rendell, Sumiyoshi Abe
Published 2002-07-25Version 1
The Kullback-Leibler inequality is a way of comparing any two density matrices. A technique to set up the density matrix for a physical system is to use the maximum entropy principle, given the entropy as a functional of the density matrix, subject to known constraints. In conjunction with the master equation for the density matrix, these two ingredients allow us to formulate the second law of thermodynamics in its widest possible setting. Thus problems arising in both quantum statistical mechanics and quantum information can be handled. Aspects of thermodynamic concepts such as the Carnot cycle will be discussed. A model is examined to elucidate the role of entanglement in the Landauer erasure problem.
Second Law of Thermodynamics and Macroscopic Observables within Boltzmann's principle, an attempt
Expansion for Quantum Statistical Mechanics Based on Wave Function Symmetrization
Information processing and the second law of thermodynamics: an inclusive, Hamiltonian approach
