Comment on "On the Crooks fluctuation theorem and the Jarzynski equality" [J. Chem. Phys. 129, 091101 (2008)]

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the validity of the Jarzynski equality and Crooks fluctuation theorem for Brownian processes, countering recent claims of violation by reaffirming their consistency under original definitions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the self-consistency condition between JE and CFT holds for Brownian processes when using original definitions.

Findings

JE and CFT are consistent for Brownian processes

Counteracts previous claims of violation

Reaffirms the original formulations' validity

Abstract

It has recently been argued that a self-consistency condition involving the Jarzynski equality (JE) and the Crooks fluctuation theorem (CFT) is violated for a simple Brownian process [L. Y. Chen, J. Chem. Phys. 129, 091101 (2008)]. This note adopts the definitions in the original formulation of the JE and CFT and demonstrates the contrary.