Memory Erasure using Time Multiplexed Potentials

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermodynamics of a Brownian particle in a time multiplexed harmonic potential, demonstrating near Landauer limit erasure and analyzing the impact of multiplexing duty-ratio on work and reversibility.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental and simulation framework for memory erasure using time multiplexed potentials, approaching reversible erasure near thermodynamic limits.

Findings

Work close to Landauer's bound during erasure

Duty-ratio controls work and reversibility

Simulation guides experimental realization

Abstract

We study the thermodynamics of a Brownian particle under the influence of a time multiplexed harmonic potential of finite width. The memory storage mechanism and the erasure protocol realized by time multiplexed potentials are utilized to experimentally realize erasure with work close to the Landauer's bound. We quantify the work done on the system with respect to the duty-ratio of time multiplexing, which also provides a handle to approach reversible erasures. A Langevin dynamics based simulation model is developed for the proposed memory bit and the erasure protocol, which guides the experimental realization. The study also provides insights into transport at the micro scale.