Bremermann's limit

Bremermann's Limit, named after Hans-Joachim Bremermann, is the maximum computational speed of a self-contained system in the material universe. It is derived from Einstein's mass-energy equivalency and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and is c²/h ≈ 1.36 × 10⁵⁰ bits per second per kilogram.^[1][2] This value is important when designing cryptographic algorithms, as it can be used to determine the minimum size of encryption keys or hash values required to create an algorithm that could never be cracked by a brute-force search.

For example, a computer with the mass of the entire Earth operating at the Bremermann's limit could perform approximately 10⁷⁵ mathematical computations per second. If we assume that a cryptographic key can be tested with only one operation, then a typical 128 bit key could be cracked in under 10⁻³⁶ seconds. However, a 256 bit key (which is already in use in some systems) would take about two minutes to crack. Using a 512 bit key would increase the cracking time to approaching 10⁷² years, without increasing the time for encryption by more than a constant factor (depending on the encryption algorithms used).

The limit has been further analysed in later literature as the maximum rate at which a system with energy spread $\Delta E$ can evolve into an orthogonal and hence distinguishable state to another, $\Delta t = \pi \hbar / 2 \Delta E$.^[3][4] In particular, Margolus and Levitin has shown that a quantum system with average energy E takes at least time $\Delta t = \pi \hbar / 2 E$ to evolve into an orthogonal state.^[5]

See also

• Bekenstein bound
• Transcomputational problem
• Limits to computation
• Margolus–Levitin theorem
• Landauer's principle

Weblinks

• Gorelik, G. (2003). Bremermann's Limit and cGh-physics. Einstein Studies, 1-4. (pdf)

References

1. Bremermann, H.J. (1962) Optimization through evolution and recombination In: Self-Organizing systems 1962, edited M.C. Yovitts et al., Spartan Books, Washington, D.C. pp. 93–106.
2. Bremermann, H.J. (1965) Quantum noise and information. 5th Berkeley Symposium on Mathematical Statistics and Probability; Univ. of California Press, Berkeley, California.
3. Aharonov, Y.; Bohm, D. (1961). "Time in the Quantum Theory and the Uncertainty Relation for Time and Energy" (PDF). Physical Review. 122 (5): 1649–1658. Bibcode:1961PhRv..122.1649A. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.122.1649.
4. Lloyd, Seth (2000). "Ultimate physical limits to computation". Nature. 406 (6799): 1047–1054. arXiv:quant-ph/9908043. Bibcode:2000Natur.406.1047L. doi:10.1038/35023282. PMID 10984064.
5. Margolus, N.; Levitin, L. B. (September 1998). "The maximum speed of dynamical evolution". Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena. 120: 188–195. arXiv:quant-ph/9710043. Bibcode:1998PhyD..120..188M. doi:10.1016/S0167-2789(98)00054-2.