Relating a System's Hamiltonian to Its Entropy Production Using a Complex Time Approach

Entropy (Basel). 2023 Apr 6;25(4):629. doi: 10.3390/e25040629.

Abstract

We exploit the properties of complex time to obtain an analytical relationship based on considerations of causality between the two Noether-conserved quantities of a system: its Hamiltonian and its entropy production. In natural units, when complexified, the one is simply the Wick-rotated complex conjugate of the other. A Hilbert transform relation is constructed in the formalism of quantitative geometrical thermodynamics, which enables system irreversibility to be handled analytically within a framework that unifies both the microscopic and macroscopic scales, and which also unifies the treatment of both reversibility and irreversibility as complementary parts of a single physical description. In particular, the thermodynamics of two unitary entities are considered: the alpha particle, which is absolutely stable (that is, trivially reversible with zero entropy production), and a black hole whose unconditional irreversibility is characterized by a non-zero entropy production, for which we show an alternate derivation, confirming our previous one. The thermodynamics of a canonical decaying harmonic oscillator are also considered. In this treatment, the complexification of time also enables a meaningful physical interpretation of both "imaginary time" and "imaginary energy".

Keywords: Bekenstein–Hawking relation; Kramers–Kronig relations; Loschmidt Paradox; QGT; Riemannian geometry; analytical continuation; arrow of time; entropic Hamiltonian.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. The University of Surrey funded the APC.