Thermal logic circuits

Thermal logic is a hypothetical device technology that allows one to analyze the energetics of computing machines in a simpler setting than real device technologies. The paper describes the rudiments of thermal logic, and uses it to analyze reversible logic pipelines. The similarity between thermal logic and electronic logic is explained, and thermal analogs of electronic devices and circuits are proposed. We show that adiabatically-reversible logic pipelines have a rich mathematical structure, including a local gauge symmetry, and suggest some directions for future research. Adiabatic power supplies are also addressed.<>