https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01923-2
Regular Article
Entropy augmentation through subadditive excess: information theory in irreversible processes
Institute for Complex Quantum Systems and IQST, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
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Received:
31
March
2025
Accepted:
5
September
2025
Published online:
26
September
2025
Abstract
Within its range of applicability, the Boltzmann equation seems unique in its capacity to accurately describe the transition from almost any initial state to a self-equilibrated thermal state. Using information-theoretic methods to rephrase the key idea of Maxwell and Boltzmann, the Stoßzahlansatz, a far more general, abstract ansatz is developed. An increase in the Gibbs–Shannon–von Neumann entropy results without the usual coarse-graining. The mathematical structure of the ansatz also provides avenues for efficient computation and simulation.
© The Author(s) 2025
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