Fluctuation theorem for currents and Schnakenberg network theory

TL;DR

This paper proves a fluctuation theorem for macroscopic currents in nonequilibrium steady states using Schnakenberg network theory, with applications to reaction systems and thermodynamic forces.

Contribution

It introduces a fluctuation theorem applicable to systems modeled by Schnakenberg network theory, linking cycle affinities to macroscopic current fluctuations.

Findings

The theorem applies to reaction systems with global cycle-based thermodynamic forces.

Provides a mathematical framework connecting network cycles to fluctuation properties.

Enhances understanding of nonequilibrium steady states in complex systems.

Abstract

A fluctuation theorem is proved for the macroscopic currents of a system in a nonequilibrium steady state, by using Schnakenberg network theory. The theorem can be applied, in particular, in reaction systems where the affinities or thermodynamic forces are defined globally in terms of the cycles of the graph associated with the stochastic process describing the time evolution.