Stochastic thermodynamics as reviewed here systematically provides a framework for extending the notions of classical thermodynamics such as work, heat and entropy production to the level of individual trajectories of well-defined non-equilibrium ensembles. It applies whenever a non-equilibrium process is still coupled to one (or several) heat bath(s) of constant temperature. Paradigmatic systems are single colloidal particles in time-dependent laser traps, polymers in external flow, enzymes and molecular motors in single molecule assays, small biochemical networks and thermoelectric devices involving single electron transport. For such systems, a first-law like energy balance can be identified along fluctuating trajectories. For a basic Markovian dynamics implemented either on the continuum level with Langevin equations or on a discrete set of states as a master equation, thermodynamic consistency imposes a local-detailed balance constraint on noise and rates, respectively. Various integral and detailed fluctuation theorems, which are derived here in a unifying approach from one master theorem, constrain the probability distributions for work, heat and entropy production depending on the nature of the system and the choice of non-equilibrium conditions. For non-equilibrium steady states, particularly strong results hold like a generalized fluctuation–dissipation theorem involving entropy production. Ramifications and applications of these concepts include optimal driving between specified states in finite time, the role of measurement-based feedback processes and the relation between dissipation and irreversibility. Efficiency and, in particular, efficiency at maximum power can be discussed systematically beyond the linear response regime for two classes of molecular machines, isothermal ones such as molecular motors, and heat engines such as thermoelectric devices, using a common framework based on a cycle decomposition of entropy production. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal) This article was invited by Erwin Frey.

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Stochastic thermodynamics, fluctuation theorems and molecular machines

WITH the ever-widening scope of modern mathematical analysis and its many ramifications, it is quite impossible to include, in a single volume of reasonable size, an adequate and exhaustive discussion of the calculus in its more advanced stages. It therefore becomes necessary, in planning a thoroughly sound course in the subject, to consider several important aspects of the vast field confronting a modern writer. The limitation of space renders the selection of subject-matter fundamentally dependent upon the aim of the course, which may or may not be related to the content of specific examination syllabuses. Logical development, too, may lead to the inclusion of many topics which, at present, may only be of academic interest, while others, of greater practical value, may have to be omitted. The experience and training of the writer may also have, more or less, a bearing on both these considerations.Advanced CalculusBy Dr. C. A. Stewart. Pp. xviii + 523. (London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1940.) 25s.

Advanced Calculus I

In 1982, the Belgian Pilots' Guild raised the question of what effect exposure to radar radiation--for example, that encountered in passing a pilot launch's radar--might have on the human body. Recapitulating investigations of this question, this article states that in 25 years of experience with radar, there have been no known incidents of pilots being affected by radar waves. In the future, however, involvement by some pilots with Vessel Traffic Service shore-based radar could affect pilots somewhat differently from limited exposure to pilot launch radar. Pilots who find themselves in new working conditions close to an emitting source should exercise care all times.

About heat waves

A review of the molecular diffusivities of H2O, CO2, CH4, CO, O3, SO2, NH3, N2O, NO, and NO2 in air O2 and N2 near STP

In this series of talks, I will discuss the fluid-dynamic-type equations that is derived from the Boltzmann equation as its the asymptotic behavior for small mean free path. The study of the relation of the two systems describing the behavior of a gas, the fluid-dynamic system and the Boltzmann system, has a long history and many works have been done. The Hilbert expansion and the Chapman–Enskog expansion are well-known among them. The behavior of a gas in the continuum limit, however, is not so simple as is widely discussed by superficial understanding of these solutions. The correct behavior has to be investigated by classifying the physical situations. The results are largely different depending on the situations. There is an important class of problems for which neither the Euler equations nor the Navier–Stokes give the correct answer. In these two expansions themselves, an initialor boundaryvalue problem is not taken into account. We will discuss the fluid-dynamic-type equations together with the boundary conditions that describe the behavior of the gas in the continuum limit by appropriately classifying the physical situations and taking the boundary condition into account. Here the result for the time-independent case is summarized. The time-dependent case will also be mentioned in the talk. The velocity distribution function approaches a Maxwellian fe, whose parameters depend on the position in the gas, in the continuum limit. The fluid-dynamictype equations that determine the macroscopic variables in the limit differ considerably depending on the character of the Maxwellian. The systems are classified by the size of |fe− fe0|/fe0, where fe0 is the stationary Maxwellian with the representative density and temperature in the gas. (1) |fe − fe0|/fe0 = O(Kn) (Kn : Knudsen number, i.e., Kn = `/L; ` : the reference mean free path. L : the reference length of the system) : S system (the incompressible Navier–Stokes set with the energy equation modified). (1a) |fe − fe0|/fe0 = o(Kn) : Linear system (the Stokes set). (2) |fe − fe0|/fe0 = O(1) with | ∫ ξifedξ|/ ∫ |ξi|fedξ = O(Kn) (ξi : the molecular velocity) : SB system [the temperature T and density ρ in the continuum limit are determined together with the flow velocity vi of the first order of Kn amplified by 1/Kn (the ghost effect), and the thermal stress of the order of (Kn) must be retained in the equations (non-Navier–Stokes effect). The thermal creep[1] in the boundary condition must be taken into account. (3) |fe − fe0|/fe0 = O(1) with | ∫ ξifedξ|/ ∫ |ξi|fedξ = O(1) : E+VB system (the Euler and viscous boundary-layer sets). E system (Euler set) in the case where the boundary is an interface of the gas and its condensed phase. The fluid-dynamic systems are classified in terms of the macroscopic parameters that appear in the boundary condition. Let Tw and δTw be, respectively, the characteristic values of the temperature and its variation of the boundary. Then, the fluid-dynamic systems mentioned above are classified with the nondimensional temperature variation δTw/Tw and Reynolds number Re as shown in Fig. 1. In the region SB, the classical gas dynamics is inapplicable, that is, neither the Euler

Kinetic Theory and Fluid Dynamics

This paper uses results from statistical‐mechanical theory, applied through a combination of an extended principle of corresponding states with some knowledge of intermolecular potentials, to the calculation of the transport and equilibrium properties of gas mixtures at low density. The gases involved are: N2, O2, NO, CO, CO2, N2O, CH4, CF4, SF6, C2H4, C2H6, and He, Ar, Ne, Kr, Xe. The properties included are: second virial coefficient, viscosity, diffusion, and thermal diffusion, but not thermal conductivity. The calculations are internally, thermodynamically consistent and the resulting algorithms, which are fully programmable, operate in an entirely predictive mode by means of validated combination rules. This paper is a sequel to one on the five noble gases and all their possible mixtures and a second on the above eleven polyatomic gases. The paper contains ten tables (mainly intended for the checking of computer codes) and 201 graphs of deviation and comparison plots. An additional 98 tables have been deposited with the Physics Auxiliary Publication Service (PAPS) of the AIP. The algorithms presented in this paper, together with those mentioned above, make it possible to program calculations for a wide range of low‐density equilibrium and transport properties of 16 gases and of all possible multicomponent mixtures formed with them, for a total of 65,535 systems. For each system, the program would cover the full range of compositions.

Equilibrium and transport properties of gas mixtures at low density : eleven polyatomic gases and five noble gases

Beyond the Navier-Stokes equations: Burnett hydrodynamics

We present a complete set of easily programmable computer algorithms, and a set of numerical tables, for the thermal conductivities of the nine gases: N2, O2, NO, CO, CO2, N2O, CH4, CF4, and SF6. This complements our earlier corresponding‐states work on the equilibrium and transport properties of these gases [J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 16, 445 (1987); 17, 255 (1988)]. The results embrace the temperature range from T*=kT/e=1 up to a nominal upper limit of 3000 K. The accuracy achieved is specified, and the correlation can be used in a predictive mode.

Thermal Conductivity of Nine Polyatomic Gases at Low Density

Two recent works have shown that at small Knudsen number (K) the pressure and temperature profiles in plane Poiseuille flow exhibit a different qualitative behavior from the profiles obtained by the Navier-Stokes equations. Tij and Santos [J. Stat. Phys. 76, 1399 (1994)] used the Bhatnagar-Gross-Kook model to show that the temperature profile is bimodal and the pressure profile is nonconstant. Malek-Mansour, Baras, and Garcia [Physica A 240, 255 (1997)] qualitatively confirmed these predictions in computer experiments using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC). In this paper we compare the DSMC measurements of hydrodynamic variables and non-equilibrium fluxes with numerical solutions of the Burnett equations. Given that they are in better agreement with molecular-dynamics simulations [E. Salomons and M. Mareschal, Phys. Rev. Lett. 69, 269 (1992)] of strong shock waves than Navier-Stokes [F. J. Uribe, R. M. Velasco, and L. S. Garc\'{\i}a-Col\'{\i}n, Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 2044 (1998)], and that they are second order in Knudsen number suggests that the Burnett equations may provide a better description for large K. We find that for plane Poiseuille flow the Burnett equations do not predict the bimodal temperature profile but do recover many of the other anomalous features (e.g., nonconstant pressure and nonzero parallel heat flux).

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Francisco J. Uribe

Papers

Equilibrium and transport properties of gas mixtures at low density : eleven polyatomic gases and five noble gases

Beyond the Navier-Stokes equations: Burnett hydrodynamics

Thermal Conductivity of Nine Polyatomic Gases at Low Density

Burnett description for plane Poiseuille flow.

Extended irreversible thermodynamics beyond the linear regime : a critical overview