Time-symmetric fluctuations in nonequilibrium systems

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Jun 23;96(24):240601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.240601. Epub 2006 Jun 20.

Abstract

For nonequilibrium steady states, we identify observables whose fluctuations satisfy a general symmetry and for which a new reciprocity relation can be shown. Unlike the situation in recently discussed fluctuation theorems, these observables are time-reversal symmetric. That is essential for exploiting the fluctuation symmetry beyond linear response theory. In addition to time reversal, a crucial role is played by the reversal of the driving fields that further resolves the space-time action. In particular, the time-symmetric part in the space-time action determines the second order effects of the nonequilibrium driving.