The Three Faces of the Second Law: I. Master Equation Formulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel stochastic thermodynamics framework using master equations for systems with nonequilibrium constraints and external driving, revealing a tripartite second law structure and illustrating it with solvable models.

Contribution

It presents a new master equation-based formulation of stochastic thermodynamics that uncovers three distinct second law relations for nonequilibrium systems.

Findings

Identification of three second law-like relations in nonequilibrium thermodynamics

Application to solvable models demonstrating the framework

Extension of thermodynamic principles to driven, constrained systems

Abstract

We propose a new formulation of stochastic thermodynamics for systems subjected to nonequilibrium constraints (i.e. broken detailed balance at steady state) and furthermore driven by external time-dependent forces. A splitting of the second law occurs in this description leading to three second law like relations. The general results are illustrated on specific solvable models. The present paper uses a master equation based approach.