Reversible Computing: Fundamentals, Quantum Computing, and Applications

Description

Written by one of the few top internationally recognized experts in the field, this book concentrates on those topics that will remain fundamental, such as low power computing, reversible programming languages, and applications in thermodynamics. It describes reversible computing from various points of view: Boolean algebra, group theory, logic circuits, low-power electronics, communication, software, quantum computing. It is this multidisciplinary approach that makes it unique.
Backed by numerous examples, this is useful for all levels of the scientific and academic community, from undergraduates to established academics.

p. 1 (PDF p. 13): Carnot engine "has the peculiar property of being reversible".

In contrast [to conventional motors], when it [combustion] is performed in a so-called fuel cell, the same chemical reaction (oxidation) occurs in a reversible way. By applying an appropriate (external) electric voltage, we can control the direction (forward or reverse) of a chemical reaction and how swiftly it occurs. In the case of an ideal fuel cell, an infinitely small change in the external voltage is sufficient to change the direction of the chemical reaction: associations between atoms become dissociations of molecules; oxidation becomes reduction. It is no surprise that fuel cells display a much higher efficiency than internal combustion engines.

cf. my Electrical Engineering StackExchange [chip-design]-tagged question "What CMOS chips on the market implement reversible computing?"

4.4 Thermodynamics

03/27/254.4 Thermodynamics : 102

if we want to avoid any heat generation in the computer circuits (and thus avoid any consumption of work by the computer), we must avoid any loss of information during the computational process. This means that we need to construct a logically reversible computer.

4.8 Quasi-adiabatic Addressing

03/29/254.8 Quasi-adiabatic Addressing : 117

Moore’s law will continue to hold in the near future. Figure 4.13 shows how CV 2 t will continue to decrease, ultimately approaching Landauer’s quantum around the year 2034.

03/29/254.8 Quasi-adiabatic Addressing : 117

logic reversibility is required in order to cross the Landauer barrier.

5.5 LIFT Gates versus SCALE Gates

03/31/255.5 LIFT Gates versus SCALE Gates : 132

Inaccurate multiplication does not prevent perfect reversibility.

Post Scriptum

04/04/25Post Scriptum : 223

What is the difference between forward and backward? What is the difference between forecasting and remembering? Between computing and memorizing? Between left and right? Between future and past? And finally: what is computing? What is thinking? Is it merely permuting objects?

References

03/17/25References : 226

29 Fredkin, E. and Toffoli, T. (1982) Conservative logic. International Journal of Theoretical Physics, 21, 219–253.