Work

A topological fluctuation theorem

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Fluctuation theorems specify the non-zero probability to observe negative entropy production, contrary to a naive expectation from the second law of thermodynamics. For closed particle trajectories in a fluid, Stokes theorem can be used to give a geometric characterization of the entropy production. Building on this picture, we formulate a topological fluctuation theorem that depends only by the winding number around each vortex core and is insensitive to other aspects of the force. The probability is robust to local deformations of the particle trajectory, reminiscent of topologically protected modes in various classical and quantum systems. We demonstrate that entropy production is quantized in these strongly fluctuating systems, and it is controlled by a topological invariant. We demonstrate that the theorem holds even when the probability distributions are non-Gaussian functions of the generated heat.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30644-6

Authors: Benoît Mahault, Evelyn Tang, Ramin Golestanian

Institutions: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,890

Funders: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft