Switching path distribution in multi-dimensional systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to analyze the distribution of switching paths in multi-dimensional systems, validated through experiments on a micromechanical oscillator, revealing insights into non-equilibrium dynamics and control.

Contribution

It develops a quantitative measure of path distribution in phase space without prior system knowledge and demonstrates its experimental measurement in a driven oscillator.

Findings

Distribution shape and position match theory with no adjustable parameters.

First experimental demonstration of time-reversal symmetry breaking in non-equilibrium switching.

Potential for controlling switching probability using measured path distributions.

Abstract

We explore the distribution of paths followed in fluctuation-induced switching between coexisting stable states. We introduce a quantitative characteristic of the path distribution in phase space that does not require a priori knowledge of system dynamics. The theory of the distribution is developed and its direct measurement is performed in a micromechanical oscillator driven into parametric resonance. The experimental and theoretical results on the shape and position of the distribution are in excellent agreement, with no adjustable parameters. In addition, the experiment provides the first demonstration of the lack of time-reversal symmetry in switching of systems far from thermal equilibrium. The results open the possibility of efficient control of the switching probability based on the measured narrow path distribution.