Crossing information in two-dimensional Sandpiles

A. Gajardo, E. Goles

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

We prove that in a two-dimensional Sandpile automaton, embedded in a regular infinite planar cellular space, it is impossible to cross information, if the bit of information is the presence (or absence) of an avalanche. This proves that it is impossible to embed arbitrary logical circuits in a Sandpile through quiescent configurations. Our result applies also for the non-planar neighborhood of Moore. Nevertheless, we also show that it is possible to compute logical circuits with a two-dimensional Sandpile, if a neighborhood of radius two is used in Z2; crossing information becomes possible in that case, and we conclude that for this neighborhood the Sandpile is P-complete and Turing universal.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)463-469
Number of pages7
JournalTheoretical Computer Science
Volume369
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Calculability
  • Cellular automata
  • Complexity
  • Discrete dynamical system
  • Sandpile

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Crossing information in two-dimensional Sandpiles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this