Absence of dissipation in trajectory ensembles biased by currents. (28th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jack, Robert L; Evans, R M L
• Is Part Of: Journal of statistical mechanics. (2016:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2016-09-28
• Subjects: Statistical mechanics -- Periodicals; Mechanics -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; 530.1305
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-5468/2016/09/093305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5468

Abstract

Abstract: We consider biased ensembles of trajectories associated with large deviations of currents in equilibrium systems. The biased ensembles are characterised by non-zero currents and lack the time-reversal symmetry of the equilibrium state. In cases where the equilibrium system has an inversion symmetry which is broken by the bias, we show that the biased ensembles retain a generalised time-reversal symmetry, involving a spatial transformation that inverts the current. This means that these ensembles lack dissipation. Hence, they differ significantly from non-equilibrium steady states where currents are induced by external forces. One consequence of this result is that maximum entropy assumptions (MaxEnt/MaxCal), widely used for modelling thermal systems away from equilibrium, have quite unexpected implications, including apparent superfluid behaviour in a classical model of shear flow.