2,371 research outputs found
Restoring a fluctuation-dissipation theorem in a nonequilibrium steady state
In a nonequilibrium steady state, the violation of the
fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) is connected to breaking detailed
balance. For the velocity correlations of a driven colloidal particle we
calculate an explicit expression of the FDT violation. The equilibrium form of
the FDT can be restored by measuring the velocity with respect to the local
mean velocity.Comment: streamlined derivation and minor change
Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem in Nonequilibrium Steady States
In equilibrium, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) expresses the
response of an observable to a small perturbation by a correlation function of
this variable with another one that is conjugate to the perturbation with
respect to \emph{energy}. For a nonequilibrium steady state (NESS), the
corresponding FDT is shown to involve in the correlation function a variable
that is conjugate with respect to \emph{entropy}. By splitting up entropy
production into one of the system and one of the medium, it is shown that for
systems with a genuine equilibrium state the FDT of the NESS differs from its
equilibrium form by an additive term involving \emph{total} entropy production.
A related variant of the FDT not requiring explicit knowledge of the stationary
state is particularly useful for coupled Langevin systems. The \emph{a priori}
surprising freedom apparently involved in different forms of the FDT in a NESS
is clarified.Comment: 6 pages; EPL, in pres
Test of the fluctuation theorem for stochastic entropy production in a nonequilibrium steady state
We derive a simple closed analytical expression for the total entropy
production along a single stochastic trajectory of a Brownian particle
diffusing on a periodic potential under an external constant force. By
numerical simulations we compute the probability distribution functions of the
entropy and satisfactorily test many of the predictions based on Seifert's
integral fluctuation theorem. The results presented for this simple model
clearly illustrate the practical features and implications derived from such a
result of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.
Characterizing Potentials by a Generalized Boltzmann Factor
Based on the concept of a nonequilibrium steady state, we present a novel
method to experimentally determine energy landscapes acting on colloidal
systems. By measuring the stationary probability distribution and the current
in the system, we explore potential landscapes with barriers up to several
hundred \kT. As an illustration, we use this approach to measure the
effective diffusion coefficient of a colloidal particle moving in a tilted
potential
Probability density functions of work and heat near the stochastic resonance of a colloidal particle
We study experimentally and theoretically the probability density functions
of the injected and dissipated energy in a system of a colloidal particle
trapped in a double well potential periodically modulated by an external
perturbation. The work done by the external force and the dissipated energy are
measured close to the stochastic resonance where the injected power is maximum.
We show a good agreement between the probability density functions exactly
computed from a Langevin dynamics and the measured ones. The probability
density function of the work done on the particle satisfies the fluctuation
theorem
Half Cycle Pulse Train Induced State Redistribution of Rydberg Atoms
Population transfer between low lying Rydberg states independent of the
initial state is realized using a train of half-cycle pulses with pulse
durations much less than the classical orbit period. We demonstrate
experimentally the transfer of population from initial states around n=50 down
to n<40 as well as up to the continuum. The measured population transfer
matches well to a model of the process for 1D atoms.Comment: V2: discussion extended, version accepted for publication in Physical
Review
The SiC problem: astronomical and meteoritic evidence
Pre-solar grains of silicon carbide found in meteorites and interpreted as
having had an origin around carbon stars from their isotopic composition, have
all been found to be of the beta-SiC polytype. Yet to date fits to the 11.3
microns SiC emission band of carbon stars had been obtained only for alpha-SiC
grains. We present thin film infrared (IR) absorption spectra measured in a
diamond anvil cell for both the alpha- and beta- polymorphs of synthetic SiC
and compare the results with previously published spectra taken using the KBr
matrix method. We find that our thin film spectra have positions nearly
identical to those obtained previously from finely ground samples in KBr.
Hence, we show that this discrepancy has arisen from inappropriate `KBr
corrections' having been made to laboratory spectra of SiC particles dispersed
in KBr matrices. We re-fit a sample of carbon star mid-IR spectra, using
laboratory data with no KBr correction applied, and show that beta-SiC grains
fit the observations, while alpha-SiC grains do not. The discrepancy between
meteoritic and astronomical identifications of the SiC-type is therefore
removed. This work shows that the diamond anvil cell thin film method can be
used to produce mineral spectra applicable to cosmic environments without
further manipulation.Comment: to be published in Astrophysical Journal Letter 4 pages, 3 figure
Irreversible effects of memory
The steady state of a Langevin equation with short ranged memory and coloured
noise is analyzed. When the fluctuation-dissipation theorem of second kind is
not satisfied, the dynamics is irreversible, i.e. detailed balance is violated.
We show that the entropy production rate for this system should include the
power injected by ``memory forces''. With this additional contribution, the
Fluctuation Relation is fairly verified in simulations. Both dynamics with
inertia and overdamped dynamics yield the same expression for this additional
power. The role of ``memory forces'' within the fluctuation-dissipation
relation of first kind is also discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, publishe
Measurement of Stochastic Entropy Production
Using fluorescence spectroscopy we directly measure entropy production of a
single two-level system realized experimentally as an optically driven defect
center in diamond. We exploit a recent suggestion to define entropy on the
level of a single stochastic trajectory (Seifert, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 95},
040602 (2005)). Entropy production can then be split into one of the system
itself and one of the surrounding medium. We demonstrate that the total entropy
production obeys various exact relations for finite time trajectories.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett., in pres
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