Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation

Assuming time-scale separation, a simple and unified theory of thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics is constructed for small classical systems strongly interacting with their environments in a controllable fashion. The total Hamiltonian is decomposed into a bath part and a system part, the l...

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Main Authors: Mingnan Ding, Zhanchun Tu, Xiangjun Xing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2022-01-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.013015
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author Mingnan Ding
Zhanchun Tu
Xiangjun Xing
author_facet Mingnan Ding
Zhanchun Tu
Xiangjun Xing
author_sort Mingnan Ding
collection DOAJ
description Assuming time-scale separation, a simple and unified theory of thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics is constructed for small classical systems strongly interacting with their environments in a controllable fashion. The total Hamiltonian is decomposed into a bath part and a system part, the latter being the Hamiltonian of mean force. Both the conditional equilibrium of the bath and the reduced equilibrium of the system are described by canonical ensemble theories with respect to their own Hamiltonians. The bath free energy is independent of the system variables and the control parameter. Furthermore, the weak coupling theory of stochastic thermodynamics becomes applicable almost verbatim, even if the interaction and correlation between the system and its environment are strong and varied externally. We further discuss a simple scenario where the present theory fits better with the common intuition about system entropy and heat.
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spelling doaj.art-ece17eb42c3243d3a385abce55e402022024-04-12T17:16:59ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642022-01-014101301510.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.013015Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separationMingnan DingZhanchun TuXiangjun XingAssuming time-scale separation, a simple and unified theory of thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics is constructed for small classical systems strongly interacting with their environments in a controllable fashion. The total Hamiltonian is decomposed into a bath part and a system part, the latter being the Hamiltonian of mean force. Both the conditional equilibrium of the bath and the reduced equilibrium of the system are described by canonical ensemble theories with respect to their own Hamiltonians. The bath free energy is independent of the system variables and the control parameter. Furthermore, the weak coupling theory of stochastic thermodynamics becomes applicable almost verbatim, even if the interaction and correlation between the system and its environment are strong and varied externally. We further discuss a simple scenario where the present theory fits better with the common intuition about system entropy and heat.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.013015
spellingShingle Mingnan Ding
Zhanchun Tu
Xiangjun Xing
Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
Physical Review Research
title Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
title_full Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
title_fullStr Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
title_full_unstemmed Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
title_short Strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time-scale separation
title_sort strong coupling thermodynamics and stochastic thermodynamics from the unifying perspective of time scale separation
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.013015
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