Paths of fluctuation induced switching

H. B. Chan; M. I. Dykman; C. Stambaugh

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.100.130602

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arXiv · 0802.3533

Paths of fluctuation induced switching

H. B. Chan·M. I. Dykman·C. Stambaugh

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Abstract

We demonstrate that the paths followed by a system in fluctuation-activated switching form a narrow tube in phase space. A theory of the path distribution is developed and its direct measurement is performed in a micromechanical oscillator. The experimental and theoretical results are in excellent agreement, with no adjustable parameters. We also demonstrate the lack of time-reversal symmetry in switching of systems far from thermal equilibrium.

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H. B. Chan, M. I. Dykman, C. Stambaugh. 2008-02-24. Paths of fluctuation induced switching. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.100.130602

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