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arXiv · 2603.05170

Waiting-time based entropy estimators in continuous space without Markovian events

Jonas H. Fritz·Udo Seifert
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Abstract

Estimating entropy production in continuous systems that can only be observed with a limited resolution remains an open problem in stochastic thermodynamics. Existing estimators based on the measurement of waiting-time distributions require either the detection of Markovian events, which uniquely determine the state of the system, or assume a discrete underlying dynamics. We present a novel estimator that relies solely on the detection of a single particle leaving or entering regions, or crossing manifolds, in continuous space. This estimator is based on the frequency and the duration of transitions between such events. We derive this bound by introducing two kinds of discretization of space. Finally, we compare our novel bound to the thermodynamic uncertainty relation improved by correlations using simulations of a Brownian vortex and discuss its relation to other lower bounds to entropy production.

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BibTeXRIS

Jonas H. Fritz, Udo Seifert. 2026-03-05. Waiting-time based entropy estimators in continuous space without Markovian events. https://doi.org/10.1103/zj2b-w93z

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