Entropy, Coding, and Non-Equilibrium Physics

The second law of thermodynamics is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics. It states that the entropy of an equilibrium system will increase* if the system is accorded more freedom. But classically the entropy is defined for equilibrium systems only, leaving open the question of whether it can be understood in the context of systems maintained out of equilibrium. I will discuss a way to measure entropy out of equilibrium, using concepts from coding theory, which I will introduce.

The lecture will be accessible to graduate students.

*or stay the same, in special cases