Fluctuation, Dissipation and the Arrow of Time

Abstract

The recent development of the theory of fluctuation relations has led to new insights into the ever-lasting question of how irreversible behavior emerges from time-reversal symmetric microscopic dynamics. We provide an introduction to fluctuation relations, examine their relation to dissipation and discuss their impact on the arrow of time question.

Keywords

• work
• entropy
• second law
• minus first law