Asymmetry of forward/backward transition times as a non-equilibrium measure of complexity of microscopic mechanisms

TL;DR

This paper investigates how asymmetry in forward and backward transition times in a two-lane lattice random walk can serve as a non-equilibrium measure, revealing microscopic mechanism complexities and deviations from equilibrium.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to quantify non-equilibrium states through transition time asymmetry in a two-lane lattice model.

Findings

Transition times can be faster in either direction depending on net current.

Symmetry in transition times is only observed at equilibrium.

Asymmetry indicates deviation from equilibrium and system complexity.

Abstract

In one-dimensional random walks, the waiting time for each direction transitions is the same, even in the presence of bias, as a consequence of the microscopic-reversibility. We study the symmetry breaking of forward/ backward transition times in a random walk on a lattice of two lanes. We find that either transition times can be faster depending on the lattice's net current, and the symmetry is recovered only at equilibrium. Our analysis suggests that the forward/ backward transition times' asymmetry can be used as a measure of deviation from the equilibrium of the system.