Dual structure of thermodynamics

Based on the properties of exponential distribution families we analyze the Fisher information of the Gibbs canonical ensemble to construct a new state function for simple systems with no mechanical work. This function possesses nice symmetry properties with respect to Legendre transform and provides a connection with previous alternative formulations of thermodynamics, most notably the work by Biot, Serrin, and Frieden and collaborators. Logical extensions to systems with mechanical work may similarly consider generalized Gibbs ensembles.

Figure 1

Sketch of the various thermodynamic functions and their Legendre transforms for the case of a constant heat capacity.