Stationary State Fluctuation Theorems for Driven Langevin Systems

TL;DR

This paper discusses stationary state fluctuation theorems for work and heat in Langevin systems, highlighting finite time corrections through an exactly solvable model of a dragged Brownian particle.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of fluctuation theorems for work and heat, including finite time effects, in a solvable Langevin system, and connects with recent literature.

Findings

Work fluctuations follow the conventional fluctuation theorem.

Heat fluctuations satisfy an extended fluctuation theorem.

Finite time corrections are crucial for experimental and simulation interpretations.

Abstract

Recent results on the stationary state Fluctuation Theorems for work and heat fluctuations of Langevin systems are presented. The relevance of finite time corrections in understanding experimental and simulation results is explained in the context of an exactly solvable model, namely a Brownian particle in a harmonic potential, which is dragged through the surrounding fluid. In this model, work fluctuations obey the conventional form of the fluctuation theorem while heat fluctuations satisfy an extended form. The connection with other work in recent literature is pointed out, and further generalizations are suggested.