A Live Maxwell's Demon

Abstract

A direct experimental replication of the Maxwell Demon thought experiment is outlined. The experiment determines the velocity/kinetic energy distribution of the particles in a sample by a novel interpretation of the results from a standard time-of-flight (TOF) small angle neutron scattering (SANS) procedure. Perspex at 293 K was subjected to neutrons at 82.2 K. The key result is a TOF velocity distribution curve that is a direct spatial and time-dependent microscopic probe of the velocity distribution of the Perspex nuclei at 293 K. Having this curve, one can follow the Demon’s approach by selecting neutrons at known kinetic energies. One example is given: namely, two reservoirs - hot and cold reservoirs - were generated from the 293 K source without disturbing its original 293 K energy distribution. Show more