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In the last few decades, there has been a growing consensus that information theory is of fundamental importance for theoretical physics. The information paradigm has yielded successes in many different areas of the foundations of physics, including the development and application of quantum information theory, Jacobson’s thermodynamic derivation of the Einstein equations, the black-hole information paradox, Jaynes’ maximum entropy principle, or operational approaches to the foundations of quantum mechanics. These novel approaches are obviously motivated by the development of modern computer science and information technology, continuing the linkage of science and technology that once also linked the steam engine to the development of thermodynamics.
Parallel to this fruitful development, there is a growing number of physicists who endorse the general attitude that fundamental physics may need new foundations or at least a new perspective. Despite amazing recent successes, there remains the profound challenge that experiments have not confirmed many of the recent theoretical ideas: the universe seems simpler than our ideas of unification predicted. Information-theoretic approaches can provide a starting point, which is exceptionally careful in the assumptions that it makes, and broad in its applicability, since it does not rely on specific laws of motion or formal properties of underlying theories. As such it can complement other research activities in the field. For instance, information-theoretic operational approaches may also help in developing a missing "operational sense" and a conceptual scheme for already existing approaches to quantum gravity.
Triggered by quantum information theory, information-theoretic approaches to fundamental physics are currently experiencing an exceptional growth, with a flourishing of new results and an increasing amount of scientists joining the general research direction. We want to boost this process by organizing a conference that is able to bring together researchers from different fields of theoretical physics, in order to discuss information-theoretic approaches and their potential for innovations in the foundations of physics, ideally building an international community of researchers that are aware of this new direction and pursue it in fruitful collaborations. The aim of the conference is to provide an overview and discussion over existing ideas and approaches, promoting the exchange and cross-fertilization of ideas, developing a common language for different communities involved, and enabling collaborative work in a relaxed atmosphere.
In order to foster this process, the schedule will be restricted to five talks a day, together with a substantial amount of time reserved for free discussions and collaboration. There will also be organized discussion sessions which will allow people from different fields to engage in the cross-community common topic discourse. The organized sessions will be subject to a more structured time plan to have more people speak out.
Registration for this conference is now closed.
Sponsorship for this conference has been provided by:
- Howard Barnum, University of New Mexico
- Cédric Bény, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Hannover
- Dorje Brody, Brunel University London
- Časlav Brukner, Institute for Quantum Optics & Quantum Information Vienna
- Ariel Caticha, University at Albany
- Giulio Chiribella, Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences
- Gemma De las Cuevas, Max Planck Institute
- Felix Finster, Regensburg University
- Doreen Fraser, University of Waterloo
- Steve Giddings, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Lucien Hardy, Perimeter Institute
- David Jennings, Imperial College London
- Achim Kempf, University of Waterloo
- Tim Koslowski, University of New Brunswick
- Lluis Masanes, University of Bristol
- Rob Myers, Perimeter Institute
- Robert Oeckl, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Jonathan Oppenheim, University College London
- Ruediger Schack, University of London
- Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute
- Robert Spekkens, Perimeter Institute
- Daniel Terno, Macquarie University
- Gerard 't Hooft, Utrecht University
- Erik Verlinde, University of Amsterdam
- Javier Alvarez, UNAM
- Howard Barnum, University of New Mexico
- Cédric Bény, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Hannover
- Daniel Brod, Perimeter Institute
- Časlav Brukner, Institute for Quantum Optics & Quantum Information Vienna
- Ariel Caticha, University at Albany
- Giulio Chiribella, Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences
- Dorje Brody, Brunel University London
- Gemma De las Cuevas, Max Planck Institute
- Felix Finster, Regensburg University
- Doreen Fraser, University of Waterloo
- Antonia Frassino, Perimeter Institute
- Henrique Gomes, Perimeter Institute
- Carlos Gonzalez-Gullen, University of Ottawa
- Matthew Graydon, Perimeter Institute
- Lucien Hardy, Perimeter Institute
- Philipp Hoehn, Perimeter Institute
- David Jennings, Imperial College London
- Achim Kempf, University of Waterloo
- Tim Koslowski, University of New Brunswick
- Ryszard Kostecki, Perimeter Institute
- Marius Krumm, Heidelberg University
- Matthew Leifer, Perimeter Institute
- Lluis Masanes, University of Bristol
- Markus Mueller, Heidelberg University
- Rob Myers, Perimeter Institute
- Robert Oeckl, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Jonathan Oppenheim, University College London
- Matthew Pusey, Perimeter Institute
- Daniel Ranard, Perimeter Institute
- Katja Reid, Perimeter Institute
- Aldo Riello, Perimeter Institute
- Ruediger Schack, University of London
- John Selby, Imperial College London
- Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute
- Robert Spekkens, Perimeter Institute
- Barak Shoshany, Perimeter Institute
- Daniel Terno, Macquarie University
- Gerard 't Hooft, Utrecht University
- Cozmin Ududec, Invenia Technical Computing
- Erik Verlinde, University of Amsterdam
- Steven Weinstein, University of Waterloo
- Elie Wolfe, Perimeter Institute
Monday, May 11, 2015
Time |
Event |
Location |
8:30 – 9:00am |
Registration |
Reception |
9:00 – 9:15am |
Welcome and Opening Remarks |
Bob Room |
9:15 – 10:05am |
Caslav Brukner, |
Bob Room |
10:05 – 10:55am |
Ruediger Schack, University of London |
Bob Room |
10:55 – 11:15am |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
11:15 – 12:05pm |
Giulio Chiribella, |
Bob Room |
12:05 – 12:55pm |
Jonathan Oppenheim, University College |
Bob Room |
12:55 – 2:15pm |
Lunch |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
2:15 – 3:05pm |
Howard Barnum, University of New Mexico |
Bob Room |
3:05 – 3:55pm |
David Jennings, Imperial College London |
Bob Room |
3:55 – 4:10pm |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
4:10 – 5:10pm |
Organized Discussion Session: |
Bob Room |
5:10pm onwards |
Open Discussion Space |
Bob Room |
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Time |
Event |
Location |
9:00 – 9:50am |
Philipp Hoehn, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
9:50 – 10:40am |
Markus Mueller, Heidelberg University |
Bob Room |
10:40 – 11:00am |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
11:00 – 11:50am |
Lucien Hardy, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
11:50 – 12:40pm |
Robert Spekkens, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
12:40 – 2:00pm |
Lunch Break |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
2:00 – 2:50pm |
Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
2:50 – 3:40pm |
Daniel Terno, Macquarie University |
Bob Room |
3:40 – 3:50pm |
Conference Photo |
TBA |
3:50 – 4:10pm |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
4:10 – 4:50pm |
Organized Discussion Session: |
Bob Room |
4:50pm onwards |
Open Discussion Space |
Bob Room |
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Time |
Event |
Location |
9:00 – 9:50am |
Tim Koslowski, University of New Brunswick |
Bob Room |
9:50 – 10:40am |
Robert Myers, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
10:40 – 11:00am |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
11:00 – 11:50am |
Achim Kempf, University of Waterloo |
Bob Room |
11:50 – 12:40pm |
Steve Giddings, University of California, Santa Barbara |
Bob Room |
12:40 – 2:00pm |
Lunch Break |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
2:00 – 3:30pm |
Erik Verlinde, University of Amsterdam |
Theater |
3:30 – 4:00pm |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
4:00 – 5:00pm |
Open Discussion Space |
Bob Room |
6:00pm onwards |
Banquet |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Time |
Event |
Location |
9:00 – 9:50am |
Ryszard Kostecki, Perimeter Institute |
Bob Room |
9:50 – 10:40am |
Ariel Caticha, University at Albany |
Bob Room |
10:40 – 11:00am |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
11:00 – 11:50am |
Cedric Beny, University of Hannover |
Bob Room |
11:50 – 12:40pm |
Gemma De las Cuevas, Max Planck Institute |
Bob Room |
12:40 – 2:00pm |
Lunch Break |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
2:00 – 3:30pm |
Gerard ‘t Hooft, Utrecht University |
Theater |
3:30 – 4:00pm |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
4:00 – 5:00pm |
Organized Discussion Session: |
Bob Room |
5:00pm onwards |
Open Discussion Space |
Bob Room |
Friday, May 15, 2015
Time |
Event |
Location |
9:00 – 9:50am |
Felix Finster, Regensburg University |
Bob Room |
9:50 – 10:40am |
Robert Oeckl, |
Bob Room |
10:40 – 11:00am |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
11:00 – 11:50am |
Lluis Masanes, University of Bristol |
Bob Room |
11:50 – 12:40pm |
Dorje Brody, Brunel University London |
Bob Room |
12:40 – 2:00pm |
Lunch Break |
Bistro – 2nd Floor |
2:00 – 2:50pm |
Doreen Fraser, University of Waterloo |
Bob Room |
2:50 – 3:05pm |
Coffee Break |
Bistro – 1st Floor |
3:05 – 4:05pm |
Organized Discussion Session: |
Bob Room |
4:05pm onwards |
Open Discussion Space |
Bob Room |
Howard Barnum, University of New Mexico
Entropy, majorization, and thermodynamics in general probabilistic theories.
Cedric Beny, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Hannover
Tangent field theory
Nonclassicality as the failure of noncontextuality
To make precise the sense in which nature fails to respect classical physics, one requires a formal notion of "classicality". Ideally, such a notion should be defined operationally, so that it can be subjected to a direct experimental test, and it should be applicable in a wide variety of experimental scenarios, so that it can cover the breadth of phenomena that are thought to defy classical understanding. Bell's notion of local causality fulfills the first criterion but not the second, because it is restricted to scenarios with two or more systems that are space-like separated.
Bringing General Relativity into the Operational Probabilistic Framework
I will discuss my work (in progress) to formulate General Relativity as an operational theory which includes probabilities and also agency (knob settings). The first step is to find a way to discuss operational elements of GR. For this I adapt an approach due to Westman and Sonego. I assert that all directly observable quantities correspond to coincidences in the values of scalar fields. Next we need to include agency. Usually GR is regarded as a theory in which a solution is simply stated for all space and time (the Block Universe view).
Quantum theory and spacetime: allies, not enemies
It has become conventional wisdom to say that quantum theory and gravitational physics are conceptually so different, if not incompatible, that it is very hard to unify them. However, in the talk I will argue that the operational view of (quantum) information theory adds a very different twist to this picture: quite on the contrary, quantum theory and space-time are highly fine-tuned to fit to each other.
Information and the architecture of quantum theory
I will argue that, apart from their ever growing number of applications to physics, information theoretic concepts also offer a novel perspective on the physical content and architecture of quantum theory and spacetime. As a concrete example, I will discuss how one can derive and understand the formalism of qubit quantum theory by focusing only on what an observer can say about a system and imposing a few simple rules on the observer’s acquisition of information.
Information theory and thermodynamics
Limitations of statistical mechanics for quantum thermodynamics.
How should we describe the thermodynamics of extreme quantum regimes, where features such as coherence and entanglement dominate?
I will discuss possible limitations of a traditional statistical mechanics approach, and then describe work that applies modern techniques from the theory of quantum information to the foundations of thermodynamics. In particular I discuss recent progress in quantum resource theories and argue that to properly encapsulate the thermodynamic structure of quantum coherence and entanglement we must make use of concepts beyond free energies.
Entropy, majorization, and thermodynamics in general probabilistic theories.
Much progress has recently been made on the fine-grained thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of microscopic physical systems, by conceiving of thermodynamics as a resource theory: one which governs which transitions between states are possible using specified "thermodynamic" (e.g. adiabatic or isothermal) means. In this talk we lay some groundwork for investigating thermodynamics in generalized probabilistic theories.
The second laws of quantum thermodynamics
Towards an information-theoretic foundation of (quantum) thermodynamics
In the classical world of Newton and Laplace, fundamental physics and thermodynamics do not blend well: the former puts forward a picture of nature where states are pure and processes are fundamentally reversible, while the latter deals with scenarios where states are mixed and processes are irreversible. Many attempts have been made at reconciling the two paradigms, but ultimately the source of all troubles remains: if every particle possesses a definite position and a definite velocity, why should experimental data depend on the expectations of agents who have only partial information?
Agency, causal structure and locality in Qbism
In QBism, a quantum state represents an agent's personal degrees of belief regarding the consequences of her actions on any part of her external world. The quantum formalism provides consistency criteria that enable the agent to make better decisions. QBism thus gives a central role to the agent, or user of the theory, and explicitly rejects the ontological model framework introduced by Harrigan and Spekkens. This talk addresses the status of agents and the notion of locality in QBism. Our definition of locality is independent of the assumption of an ontological model.
Pages
Scientific Organizers:
Philipp Hoehn, Perimeter Institute
Ryszard Kostecki, Perimeter Institute
Markus Mueller, Heidelberg University