Entropy production from maximum entropy principle: A unifying approach.

Varizi, Adalberto D; Correia, Pedro S · Phys Rev E · 2024

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Abstract

Entropy production is the crucial quantity characterizing irreversible phenomena and the second law of thermodynamics. Yet, a ubiquitous definition eludes consensus. Given that entropy production arises from incomplete access to information, in this work we use Jaynes' maximum entropy principle to establish a framework that brings together prominent and apparently conflicting definitions. More generally, our definition of entropy production addresses any tomographically incomplete quantum measurement and/or the action of a quantum channel on a system.