The Boltzmann Entropy and Randomness Tests

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Authors: Péter Gács
Cited by: 2
References: 17

Abstract

In the context of the dynamical systems of classical mechanics, we introduce two new notions called "algorithmic fine-grain and coarse-grain entropy". The fine-grain algorithmic entropy is, on the one hand, a simple variant of the randomness tests of Martin-Löf (and others) and is, on the other hand, a connecting link between description (Kolmogorov) complexity, Gibbs entropy and Boltzmann entropy. The coarse-grain entropy is a slight correction to Boltzmann's coarse-grain entropy. Its main advantage is its less partition-dependence, which is because algorithmic entropies for different coarse grainings are approximations of one and the same fine-grain entropy. It has the desirable properties of Boltzmann entropy in a wider range of systems, including those of interest in the "thermodynamics of computation". It also helps explain the behavior of some unusual spin systems arising from cellular automata.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Statistical Mechanics and Entropy Computability Logic AI Algorithms Theoretical and Computational Physics

Publication details

Journal / source
Entropy
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
28
Issue
4
Pages
429–429
Publication date
11 April 2026
Language
EN