Non-Markovian entropy production fluctuation theorem driven by a time-dependent electric field
Phys. Rev. E 114, 044122 – Published 15 October, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/sy8c-3wkn
Abstract
Fluctuation theorems are key to understanding both fundamental and applied aspects of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of small systems. We study the non-Markovian entropy production fluctuation theorem for the diffusion process of charged particles in a gas inside a harmonic potential and under the action of a time-dependent electric field, using a generalized Langevin equation. By considering the influence of the electric field on both the tagged Brownian particle and the bath particles, an “induced” electric force arises. Despite the additional force, we demonstrate that Kubo's second fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) remains unchanged. The FDT allows us to obtain the Gaussian probability density for the position along a single stochastic trajectory, which is the key to demonstrating the validity of the detailed fluctuation theorem for the total entropy production. We study the specific result of an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck-type friction memory kernel and an oscillating electric field, and analyze the average work and entropy production in different parameter regimes.
