Rules for transition rates in nonequilibrium steady states

TL;DR

This paper derives constraints on transition rates in nonequilibrium steady states using maximum entropy principles, explaining complex behaviors like phase transitions and long-range interactions under shear.

Contribution

It introduces a novel derivation of transition rate constraints in driven systems, extending principles similar to detailed balance to nonequilibrium conditions.

Findings

Constraints can explain nonequilibrium phase behavior

Steady shear induces stress-mediated long-range interactions

Framework applies to driven diffusion and lattice fluids

Abstract

Just as transition rates in a canonical ensemble must respect the principle of detailed balance, constraints exist on transition rates in driven steady states. I derive those constraints, by maximum information-entropy inference, and apply them to the steady states of driven diffusion and a sheared lattice fluid. The resulting ensemble can potentially explain nonequilibrium phase behaviour and, for steady shear, gives rise to stress-mediated long-range interactions.