QuantumQuokka
Universal Foundations of Thermodynamics: Entropy and Energy Beyond Equilibrium and Without Extensivity
Universal Foundations of Thermodynamics: Entropy and Energy Beyond Equilibrium and Without Extensivity
Published: 12 May 2026 · Updated: 13 July 2026
Read the original sourceThe Critique
The paper claims the formulation applies to "all systems" but doesn't address quantum coherence and entanglement effects in the definitions of entropy and energy. For quantum systems, the von Neumann entropy behaves differently under composition than classical entropy, and the paper's operational definitions may fail for highly entangled states.
Why It Matters
If the framework fails for quantum systems with coherence/entanglement, this severely limits its claim to universality. Given the growing importance of quantum thermodynamics for quantum computing, this oversight could lead researchers astray when applying these concepts to quantum devices.