Non-equilibrium Dynamics and Computation
PHYSICS 268CR
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
This course develops a theoretical framework for understanding non-equilibrium dynamical systems in terms of the computation realized by their dynamics. We focus primarily on classical non-equilibrium many-body systems, asking how dynamical properties, such as chaos, integrability, topology, and symmetry, determine what kinds of computation a system can perform, from finite state machines and pushdown automata to Turing-universal computation. We arrive at a classification of non-equilibrium dynamics according to the types of algorithms their dynamics can implement. The course will examine cellular automata, interacting particle systems, and reaction-diffusion systems through this computational lens. A particular focus will be non-equilibrium systems capable of self-replication. We will synthesize the foundational work of Turing, von Neumann, and others to reveal how the computational structure of dynamics both constrains and enables the emergence of self-replicating motifs.
Recommended Prep
This is a graduate-level course although undergraduates may enroll. Required: Physics 181 (Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics) and Physics 143A (Quantum Mechanics I), or equivalent undergraduate courses. Encouraged: Physics 262 (Statistical Mechanics) or similar statistical field theory; prior exposure to real analysis/topology (e.g. Math 114, Math 131). It will be helpful to have knowledge of the basic theory of computation (Compsci 121 and some discrete mathematics such as Compsci 20, or equivalents)
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
