Fluctuation-dissipation relations and field-free algorithms for the computation of response functions

TL;DR

This paper compares two fluctuation-dissipation relations for non-equilibrium systems, derives a general formalism, and demonstrates that field-free algorithms offer improved signal-to-noise ratios for response function computation.

Contribution

It unifies two existing fluctuation-dissipation relations within a general formalism and highlights the advantages of field-free algorithms over traditional perturbation methods.

Findings

Field-free algorithms have better signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of √2.

The formalism encompasses previous fluctuation-dissipation relations as special cases.

Field-free methods are more experimentally feasible and broadly applicable.

Abstract

We discuss the relation between the fluctuation-dissipation relation derived by Chatelain and Ricci-Tersenghi [C.Chatelain, J.Phys. A {\bf 36}, 10739 (2003); F. Ricci-Tersenghi, Phys.Rev.E 68, 065104(R) (2003)] and that by Lippiello-Corberi-Zannetti [E. Lippiello, F. Corberi and M. Zannetti Phys. Rev. E {\bf 72}, 056103 (2005)]. In order to do that, we re-derive the fluctuation-dissipation relation for systems of discrete variables evolving in discrete time via a stochastic non-equilibrium Markov process. The calculation is carried out in a general formalism comprising the Chatelain, Ricci-Tersenghi result and that by Lippiello-Corberi-Zannetti as special cases. The applicability, generality, and experimental feasibility of the two approaches is thoroughly discussed. Extending the analytical calculation to the variance of the response function we show the vantage of field-free numerical methods with respect to the standard method where the perturbation is applied. We also show that the signal to noise ratio is better (by a factor $\sqrt 2$) in the algorithm of Lippiello-Corberi-Zannetti with respect to that of Chatelain-Ricci Tersenghi.