zeroon

Zeroon is a term used in speculative contexts to denote a hypothetical unit related to information, energy, and computation. In its broadest sense, a zeroon is described as a minimal or neutral state that can carry information while incurring little or no net energy cost. Because there is no widely adopted definition, the meaning of a zeroon varies across sources; some treat it as a theoretical information quanta, others as a state of matter, and still others as a fictional construct for examining thermodynamics of computation.

Origins of the term are informal. Zeroon has appeared in science fiction, theoretical essays, and online discussions since the early 21st century, often in discussions about energy-efficient computing, reversible logic, and the limits imposed by Landauer’s principle. In such discussions, a zeroon may be used to illustrate the idea that information processing could, in principle, approach zero energy dissipation under idealized conditions, or as a contrasting concept to conventional energy quanta.

In practice, zeroon is not recognized as a physical particle or standard unit in established science. It serves primarily as a thought experiment and narrative device to explore relationships between information, entropy, and energy. Some writers emphasize its philosophical implications for computation, while others use it to frame debates about the ultimate limits of efficiency.

See also information theory, Landauer’s principle, zero-energy computing, reversible computing.