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arXiv · 1105.4131

Macroscopic constraints for the minimum entropy production principle

Matteo Polettini
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Abstract

In an essential and quite general setup, based on networks, we identify Schnakenberg's observables as the constraints that prevent a system from relaxing to equilibrium, showing that, in the linear regime, steady states satisfy a minimum entropy production principle. The result is applied to master equation systems, opening a new path to a well-known version of the principle regarding invariant states. Moreover, with the aid of a simple example, the principle is shown to conform to Prigogine's original formulation. Finally, we discuss analogies and differences with a recently proposed maximum entropy production principle.

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Matteo Polettini. 2011-11-24. Macroscopic constraints for the minimum entropy production principle. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.84.051117

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