Role of External Flow and Frame Invariance in Stochastic Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper establishes frame-invariant definitions of work, heat, and entropy in stochastic thermodynamics for soft matter under external flow, redefining equilibrium criteria independent of reference frames.

Contribution

It introduces frame-invariant expressions for thermodynamic quantities and redefines equilibrium criteria in stochastic thermodynamics under flow conditions.

Findings

Derived frame-invariant thermodynamic expressions.

Replaced detailed balance with applied work as equilibrium criterion.

Calculated entropy production large deviation function for a dumbbell in shear flow.

Abstract

For configurational changes of soft matter systems affected or caused by external hydrodynamic flow, we identify applied work, exchanged heat, and entropy change on the level of a single trajectory. These expressions guarantee invariance of stochastic thermodynamics under a change of frame of reference. As criterion for equilibrium \textit{vs.} nonequilibrium, zero \textit{vs.} nonzero applied work replaces detailed balance \textit{vs.} nonvanishing currents, since both latter criteria are shown to depend on the frame of reference. Our results are illustrated quantitatively by calculating the large deviation function for the entropy production of a dumbbell in shear flow.