Entropy and time: Thermodynamics of diffusion processes

TL;DR

This paper explores the thermodynamic principles governing mesoscopic out-of-equilibrium systems driven by diffusion, analyzing entropy production and contrasting different extremum principles to deepen understanding of their thermodynamic behavior.

Contribution

It provides a novel interpretation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics for diffusion-driven mesoscopic systems and clarifies the role of entropy production and extremum principles.

Findings

Entropy production is characterized in mesoscopic diffusion systems.

The Helmholtz extremum principle is contrasted with entropy extremum principles.

Insights into thermodynamic laws for out-of-equilibrium systems are provided.

Abstract

We give meaning to the first and second laws of thermodynamics in case of mesoscopic out-of-equilibrium systems which are driven by diffusion processes. The notion of the entropy production is analyzed. The role of the Helmholtz extremum principle is contrasted to that of the more familiar entropy extremum principles.