Thermodynamics of switching in multistable non-equilibrium systems

TL;DR

This paper explores the thermodynamics of state switching in multistable non-equilibrium systems, linking fluctuation theorems and large deviation theory to understand entropy's role in stability and transitions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical framework connecting entropy production during switching with large deviation principles, clarifying stability criteria in multistable systems.

Findings

Entropy production during switching is crucial for state transitions.

Steady-state entropy and noise strength are negligible in large volume limit.

The framework has implications for biological, ecological, and climate models.

Abstract

Multistable non-equilibrium systems are abundant outcomes of nonlinear dynamics with feedback but still relatively little is known about what determines the stability of the steady states and their switching rates in terms of entropy and entropy production. Here, we will link fluctuation theorems for the entropy production along trajectories with the action obtainable from the Freidlin--Wentzell theorem to elucidate the thermodynamics of switching between states in the large volume limit of multistable systems. We find that the entropy production at steady state plays no role, but the entropy production during switching is key. Steady-state entropy and diffusive noise strength can be neglected in this limit. The relevance to biology, ecological, and climate models is apparent.