Self-replication of a quantum artificial organism driven by single-photon pulses

Daniel Valente

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96048-6

Abstract

Imitating the transition from inanimate to living matter is a longstanding challenge. Artificial life has achieved computer programs that self-replicate, mutate, compete and evolve, but lacks self-organized hardwares akin to the self-assembly of the first living cells. Nonequilibrium thermodynamics has achieved lifelike self-organization in diverse physical systems, but has not yet met the open-ended evolution of living organisms. Here, I look for the emergence of an artificial-life code in a nonequilibrium physical system undergoing self-organization. I devise a toy model where the onset of self-replication of a quantum artificial organism (a chain of lambda systems) is owing to single-photon pulses added to a zero-temperature environment. I find that spontaneous mutations during self-replication are unavoidable in this model, due to rare but finite absorption of off-resonant photons. I also show that the replication probability is proportional to the absorbed work from the photon, thereby fulfilling a dissipative adaptation (a thermodynamic mechanism underlying lifelike self-organization). These results hint at self-replication as the scenario where dissipative adaptation (pointing towards convergence) coexists with open-ended evolution (pointing towards divergence).

Highlights

Imitating the transition from inanimate to living matter is a longstanding challenge
The idea is that exceptional specialization, or fine-tuned adaptation, to an environment by a fluctuating physical system can be fueled by the irreversible work consumption along far-from-equilibrium trajectories[22,23]
Thermodynamic studies of adaptation have been focusing mostly on systems that stabilize in the out-of-equilibrium states, lacking a more thorough discussion on the origins of d iversification[25] and open-ended e volution[7,26] akin to that achieved with artificial life, and necessary for explaining the ever-growing complexity and diversity of biological species

Summary

Introduction

Imitating the transition from inanimate to living matter is a longstanding challenge. The self-replication of a minimal quantum artificial organism starts due to single-photon pulses added to a zero-temperature environment.

Results

Conclusion