Linear stochastic thermodynamics

Abstract We study the thermodynamics of open systems weakly driven out-of-equilibrium by nonconservative and time-dependent forces using linear regime stochastic thermodynamics. make use conservation laws to identify potential components forces. This allows us formulate a unified near-equilibrium For nonequilibrium steady states, we obtain an Onsager theory ensuring nonsingular response matrices that is consistent with phenomenological irreversible driving protocols do not produce forces, equilibrium ensemble from which Green–Kubo relations are recovered. arbitrary periodic drivings, averaged entropy production (EP) expressed as independent sum over each frequency non-negative contributions. These contributions bilinear in conservative involve novel generalized matrix symmetric. In most general case advance decomposition EP rate into two contributions—one solely due other deviation instantaneous steady-state—directly implying minimum principle close equilibrium. setting reveals geometric structure generalizes previous approaches cases