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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
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An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
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Work relations connecting nonequilibrium steady states without detailed balance
Ying Tang1,2, Ruoshi Yuan3, Jianhong Chen4
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Summary
This study introduces a novel nonequilibrium statistical physics theory, defining thermodynamic quantities via a potential function. This extends equilibrium concepts to nonequilibrium steady states and generalizes fluctuation theorems.
Area of Science:
- Statistical Physics
- Thermodynamics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- Bridging equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical physics is a key challenge.
- Nonequilibrium systems lack detailed balance and a priori potential functions.
- Classical thermodynamical quantities are undefined without a Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a potential function for nonequilibrium systems.
- To develop a nonequilibrium theory defining thermodynamical quantities.
- To generalize equilibrium concepts to nonequilibrium steady states.
Main Methods:
- Decomposing systems into dissipative and conservative parts.
- Dynamically constructing a potential function.
- Analyzing time-dependent linear diffusive systems.
Main Results:
- A nonequilibrium theory defining thermodynamical quantities is established.
- Equilibrium concepts are extended to nonequilibrium steady states.
- Exact work distributions and work equalities for nonequilibrium steady states are obtained.
Conclusions:
- The developed theory provides a framework for nonequilibrium statistical physics.
- Generalizes Jarzynski equality and Crooks fluctuation theorem to systems without detailed balance.
- Offers a pathway to define and compute thermodynamical quantities in driven systems.
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