Entropy-reducing dynamics of a double demon

TL;DR

This paper explores how two coupled systems acting as mutual Maxwell's demons can reduce entropy and convert environmental heat into work, potentially breaking the second law through their self-sorting dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a symmetric double demon scheme demonstrating entropy reduction and second law violation via mutual feedback and self-sorting dynamics.

Findings

Entropy can be reduced below traditional limits.

Second law can be broken in symmetric demon systems.

Self-sorting dynamics enable entropy reduction.

Abstract

We study the reduction in total entropy, and associated conversion of environmental heat into work, arising from the coupling and decoupling of two systems followed by processing determined by suitable mutual feedback. The scheme is based on the actions of Maxwell's demon, namely the performance of a measurement on a system followed by an exploitation of the outcome to extract work. When this is carried out in a symmetric fashion, with each system informing the exploitation of the other (and both therefore acting as a demon), it may be shown that the second law can be broken, a consequence of the self-sorting character of the system dynamics.