The physics of information, and applications in quantum gravity, cosmology and engineering

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Whichever way information is physically represented in the real world, it is subject to the laws of quantum theory and relativity. In the case of traditional physical representations of information, such as letters on paper, the laws of classical physics suffice, of course, for a good description. Research over the past few years has shown, however, that there are dramatic new effects when information is represented or processed on the subatomic level and/or in the presence of strong gravity. Then, the laws of quantum theory, such as the uncertainty principle and entanglement, and the laws of relativity, such as the finite maximum speed of communication and unpenetrable horizons, yield a very profound impact on the way that information can be represented and processed, both in principle and in practice.