An experimental test of the Jarzynski equality in a mechanical experiment

TL;DR

This paper experimentally verifies the Jarzynski equality and Crooks relation using a macroscopic mechanical oscillator, confirming their validity for Gaussian fluctuations across various conditions and supporting their use in biological and chemical systems.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental validation of the Jarzynski equality and Crooks relation in a macroscopic mechanical system under different driving conditions.

Findings

Both relations are satisfied regardless of time scale and amplitude.

Results support using these relations to estimate free energy differences.

An alternative method for free energy estimation is proposed.

Abstract

We have experimentally checked the Jarzynski equality and the Crooks relation on the thermal fluctuations of a macroscopic mechanical oscillator in contact with a heat reservoir. We found that, independently of the time scale and amplitude of the driving force, both relations are satisfied. These results give credit, at least in the case of Gaussian fluctuations, to the use of these relations in biological and chemical systems to estimate the free energy difference between two equilibrium states. An alternative method to estimate of the free nergy difference in isothermal process is proposed too.