Generalized Einstein relations and conditions for anomalous relaxation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Intrinsically Disordered Protein Dynamics Through NMR Relaxation Experiments
Published on: November 1, 2024
1Department of Physics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The generalized Einstein relation (GER) for nonergodic processes is investigated within the framework of the generalized Langevin equation. The conditions for anomalous relaxation such as long-tail decay and non-vanishing velocity autocorrelation function (VAF) are proposed and distinguished. For the stationary nonergodic process, if the initial preparation of the particle velocity is non-thermal, an asymptotic GER occurs in a departure from the usual result. It is shown that the GER holding is a necessary condition rather than a full condition for the system being close to equilibrium. For the nonergodic process of the second type due to cutoff of high frequencies, the VAF oscillates with time, the GER holds but the equilibrium fails in the long-time limit. Applications to some practical examples confirm the present theoretical findings.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Types of Nuclear Relaxation
In spin–lattice or longitudinal relaxation, the excited spins exchange energy with the surrounding lattice as they return to the lower energy level. Among several mechanisms that contribute to spin–lattice relaxation, magnetic dipolar interactions are significant. Here, the excited nucleus transfers...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Space-Time Curvature and the General Theory of Relativity
This has been verified in many experiments. However, space and time are no longer absolute. Two observers moving relative to one another do not agree on the length of objects or the passage of time. The mechanics of objects based on Newton's laws of...
Principle of Equivalence
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution

