Probability distribution for heat exchange in plastic deformation

W. Dednam, M. J. Caturla, A. E. Botha, E. SanFabián, J. A. Miralles, and E. Louis
Phys. Rev. E 104, 034101 – Published 1 September 2021

Abstract

Fluctuation theorems allow one to obtain equilibrium information from nonequilibrium experiments. The probability distribution function of the relevant magnitude measured along the irreversible nonequilibrium trajectories is an essential ingredient of fluctuation theorems. In small systems, where fluctuations can be larger than average values, probability distribution functions often deviate from being Gaussian, showing long tails, mostly exponential, and usually strongly asymmetric. Recently, the probability distribution function of the van Hove correlation function of the relevant magnitude was calculated, instead of that of the magnitude itself. The resulting probability distribution function is highly symmetric, obscuring the application of fluctuation theorems. Here, the discussion is illustrated with the help of results for the heat exchanged during plastic deformation of aluminum nanowires, obtained from molecular dynamics calculations. We find that the probability distribution function for the heat exchanged is centrally Gaussian, with asymmetric exponential tails further out. By calculating the symmetry function we show that this distribution is consistent with fluctuation theorems relating the differences between two equilibrium states to an infinite number of nonequilibrium paths connecting those two states.

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  • Received 6 May 2021
  • Accepted 20 August 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.104.034101

©2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Statistical Physics & Thermodynamics

Authors & Affiliations

W. Dednam1,2,3,*, M. J. Caturla2,3, A. E. Botha1, E. SanFabián2,4,5, J. A. Miralles2,3, and E. Louis2,3,4

  • 1Department of Physics, Science Campus, University of South Africa, Florida Park, Johannesburg 1710, South Africa
  • 2Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03690 Alicante, Spain
  • 3Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03690 Alicante, Spain
  • 4Unidad Asociada of the “Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas,” Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03690 Alicante, Spain
  • 5Departamento de Química Física, Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03690 Alicante, Spain

  • *dednaw@unisa.ac.za

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 3 — September 2021

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