Path-integral analysis of fluctuation theorems for general Langevin processes

Abstract

We examine classical, transient fluctuation theorems within the unifying framework of Langevin dynamics. We explicitly distinguish between the effects of non-conservative forces that violate detailed balance, and non-autonomous dynamics arising from the variation of an external parameter. When both these sources of nonequilibrium behaviour are present, there naturally arise two distinct fluctuation theorems. © IOP Publishing Ltd.