Realistic limits to computation. I. Physical limits

The ultimate limits of computation have been determined in the hypothesis that computation is a physical process occurring in a medium immersed in a thermal reservoir at assigned (room) temperature and thus obeying the underlying physical laws. Whichever is the information carrier, the computational...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2007-01, Vol.86 (1), p.23-29
Main Author: CEROFOLINI, G. F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied physics
Applied sciences
Circuit properties
Computation
Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits
Electronic circuits
Electronics
Exact sciences and technology
Figure of merit
Hypotheses
Materials science
Miscellaneous
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Summary:The ultimate limits of computation have been determined in the hypothesis that computation is a physical process occurring in a medium immersed in a thermal reservoir at assigned (room) temperature and thus obeying the underlying physical laws. Whichever is the information carrier, the computational figure of merit is inherently reduced by the need of transforming the microscopic computation outcome into a macroscopic event. The resulting loss of performance has been estimated in the hypothesis that the microscopic state is sensed with an apparatus undergoing repeated measurements.
ISSN:0947-8396
1432-0630
DOI:10.1007/s00339-006-3670-5