Fluctuation Theorems for an Asymmetric Rotor in a Granular Gas

Sylvain Joubaud, Detlef Lohse, and Devaraj van der Meer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 210604 – Published 24 May 2012

Abstract

We investigate the validity of fluctuation theorems for an asymmetric rotor experiment in a granular gas. A first state, with a Gaussian distribution of the angular velocity, is found to be well described by a first order Langevin equation. We show that fluctuation theorems are valid for the injected work and for the total entropy production. In a second state, the angular velocity distribution is double peaked due to a spontaneous symmetry breaking: A convection roll develops in the granular gas, which strongly couples to the rotor. Surprisingly, in this case, similar symmetry relations hold, which lead to a good prediction for the height ratio of the two peaks.

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  • Received 31 October 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.210604

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Sylvain Joubaud1,2, Detlef Lohse1, and Devaraj van der Meer1

  • 1Physics of Fluids, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
  • 2Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS & Université de Lyon, F-69364 Lyon, France

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Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 21 — 25 May 2012

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