Integral fluctuation theorem for the housekeeping heat

Abstract

The housekeeping heat Qhk is the dissipated heat necessary to maintain the violation of detailed balance in nonequilibrium steady states. By analysing the evolution of its probability distribution, we prove an integral fluctuation theorem 〈exp[-βQhk]〉 ≤ 1 valid for arbitrary-driven transitions between steady states. We discuss Gaussian limiting cases and the difference between the new theorem and both the Hatano-Sasa and the Jarzynski relation. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd.