Storing data in quantum spaces.

  • Thread starter Thread starter pondzo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Data Quantum
Click For Summary
Storing data at or below the Planck length raises questions about the physical space data occupies and the limits of information storage. The Bekenstein bound suggests that the maximum data storage capacity is related to the surface area of a sphere rather than its volume. Calculations indicate that to store one bit of information in a sphere of Planck length diameter, a minimum mass-energy of approximately 4.316 x 10^-9 joules is required. This translates to a stationary mass of about 4.802 x 10^-9 kg, prompting inquiries about the feasibility of such a system. The discussion also touches on the relevance of Landauer's limit and the connection between information and entropy in the context of data storage.
pondzo
Messages
168
Reaction score
0
Would it be possible to store Data in a space smaller or equal to the plank length? And also does Data (or the storage of it) take up physical space and if so how much approximately?
Thanks, Michael.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
pondzo said:
And also does Data (or the storage of it) take up physical space and if so how much approximately?

There is believed to be an upper bound on the amount of information you can store in a given volume: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bekenstein_bound

Interestingly, according to this bound the maximum amount of data that you can store in a given spherical region is proportional to the *surface area* of the sphere instead of its volume.
 
That is interesting! I had a look at the link and the equation involves the mass of the system, what do you think this would correspond to in my query?
 
UltrafastPED said:
Look up Landauer's limit and reconsider your question:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landauer's_principle

There is a connection between information and entropy which must be taken into account.

I'm not entirely sure how landauers limit applies to my question (since this principle applies to only a logically irriversible manipulation of data , which i don't think this is?), could you please explain?

The_Duck said:
There is believed to be an upper bound on the amount of information you can store in a given volume: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bekenstein_bound

Using this inequality I calculated the minumum mass-energy of a system required to store one bit of information in a sphere of diameter the Planck length, to be 4.316*10^-9 joules. which corresponds to a stationary mass of 4.802*10^-9 Kg.

I have only minimal understanding of computing systems, the processes of storing information and the sort of system required to do so, But is this order of mass for a system practically feasible? (or could it be in the near future? - and i know the future&technology is a vague concept itself but...)
 
I am slowly going through the book 'What Is a Quantum Field Theory?' by Michel Talagrand. I came across the following quote: One does not" prove” the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics. The ultimate test for a model is the agreement of its predictions with experiments. Although it may seem trite, it does fit in with my modelling view of QM. The more I think about it, the more I believe it could be saying something quite profound. For example, precisely what is the justification of...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K