Dissipation and lag in irreversible processes

TL;DR

This paper establishes a microscopic, quantitative relation between the lag in a system's response to external perturbations and the dissipated work, illustrated through a model system, enhancing understanding of irreversible processes.

Contribution

It introduces a new microscopic relation linking lag and dissipation in irreversible processes, supported by a model system illustration.

Findings

Lag correlates with dissipated work in perturbation processes.

The relation is quantitatively established at the microscopic level.

Model simulations confirm the theoretical relation.

Abstract

When a system is perturbed by the variation of external parameters, a lag generally develops between the actual state of the system and the equilibrium state corresponding to the current parameter values. We establish a microscopic, quantitative relation between this lag and the dissipated work that accompanies the process. We illustrate this relation using a model system.