Which entropy increases in isolated quantum systems?
Abstract
The second thermodynamic law says that entropy increases in an isolated system. Which entropy though? The von Neumann entropy stays constant, entanglement entropy can increase, but it measures primarily quantum correlations, and Boltzmann and Gibbs entropies are defined only in equilibrium, and do not change when the system thermalizes. I will present a definition of entropy that is defined out-of-equilibrium, it generalizes equilibrium entropy to non-equilibrium situations, increases in an isolated system, and is internally connected to a quantum measurement. Thus, proposing a definition through which the second thermodynamic law is expressed, in non-equilibrium quantum systems.
Downloads
Issue
Accelerating national progress via physics: From quantum to stellar and beyond
20-22 October 2021
Please visit the SPP2021 activity webpage for more information on this year's Physics Congress.