Breaking the Second Law Limits: From Autonomous Maxwell's Demons to Quantum Landauer Energy Harvesters
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We conducted a comprehensive numerical simulation study on the practical limitations of information engines (energy harvesters) based on Maxwell's Demon, as well as on the quantum information thermodynamic breakthroughs that overcome these limitations. First, using a rigorous master equation simulation (Partial-Secular Semilocal Lindblad approach) of an autonomous engine employing quantum dots, we identified its fatal vulnerabilities (breakdown thresholds) to heat leakage and measurement errors. Furthermore, as a scalable architecture to overcome these limitations, we proposed an "Information Conveyor Belt based on continuous measurement and Bayesian inference" using superconducting circuits, and demonstrated powerful work extraction against a massive reverse bias in a 10-dot chain. Finally, challenging the prohibition of perpetual motion machines dictated by the classical Landauer's principle (information erasure cost), we proved the phenomenon of "negative erasure cost (Quantum Landauer Loophole)" using maximum quantum entanglement via simulations, thereby demonstrating the physical feasibility of true second-kind perpetual motion operation (pure power generation by spontaneous thermal excitation) at room temperature.
Author: Imai, Kengo
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7166533754
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