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A Modified Szilard Engine: Measurement, Information, and Maxwell's Demon

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Foundations of Physics Letters

Abstract

Using an isolated measurement process, we calculate the effect measurement has on entropy for the multi-cylinder Szilard engine. We find that the system of cylinders possesses an entropy associated with cylinder total energy states, and that it records information transferred at measurement. Contrary to other's results, we find that the apparatus loses entropy due to measurement. The Second Law of Thermodynamics may be preserved if Maxwell's demon gains entropy moving the engine partition.

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  1. Los Alamos Economic Development Corporation, 127 Eastgate Dr., Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544

    Michael Devereux

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  1. Michael Devereux
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Devereux, M. A Modified Szilard Engine: Measurement, Information, and Maxwell's Demon. Found Phys Lett 16, 41–55 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024150106884

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