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DY: Fachverband Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 17: Statistical Physics far from Thermal Equilibrium

DY 17.3: Talk

Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 10:30–10:45, H48

Variational principles and information measures for nonequilibrium processes — •Matteo Polettini — 162 A, avenue de la Faïencerie L-1511 Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

We critically review several variational principles for nonequilibrium processes. In particular, we discuss the general form of observable constraints for the correct formulation of the minimum entropy production principle close to equilibrium (minEP), we contest the validity of the so-called maximum entropy production principle, discuss the information-theoretic structure of MAXENT far from equilibrium, and reject a conjectured convexity principle for the relative entropy of a system. Part of our analysis is based on the Fisher information metric, a statistical tool that allows to put bounds on the precision of an estimation of a random variable. We digress on possible roles of this quantity in the context of information processing in nonequilibrium systems.