Physical limits to computation

Preprint
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
  • 29 June 2000
Abstract
Computers and clocks are physical systems. As such, they must obey the laws of physics. Here we show that both the speed with which a computer can process information and the amount of information that it can process are limited by the input power. In particular, their product is bounded by a universal constant. As a prelude, we show that the maximum time that a clock remains accurate is limited by the accuracy of the clock. All these disparate bounds originate from the same physics that governs the quantum fluctuations of space-time. Hence they can be indirectly tested with future generations of gravitational-wave interferometers. Furthermore, we show that these physical bounds are realized for black holes, which are thus poised to play an important role in linking together our concepts of information, gravity, and quantum uncertainty.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: