English

Chaos in Nonequilibrium Two-Temperature $(T_x, T_y)$ Nos\'e-Hoover Cell Models

Statistical Mechanics 2025-09-04 v7 Chaotic Dynamics

Abstract

We revisit a two-temperature Nos\'e-Hoover wanderer particle embedded in a two-dimensional periodic 2x2 cell with four smooth repulsive corners at (x,y)=(±1,±1)(x,y) = (\pm 1, \pm 1) to explore chaos with anisotropic thermostatting. The model employs separate thermostats in the x and y directions, enabling controlled deviations from equilibrium. By integrating the full six-dimensional equations of motion and computing the complete Lyapunov spectrum, we confirm chaos and quantify phase-space contraction with high numerical precision. The total contraction rate, interpreted as entropy production, increases nonlinearly with the thermostat anisotropy, deviating from the quadratic dependence expected from linear-response theory, Λδ2\Lambda\propto -\delta^{2}. We compare two fits for Λ\Lambda as a function of δ=0.5Ty\delta = 0.5 -T_y: 1) a power law, Λδ2.44\Lambda\propto -\delta^{2.44}, 2) a quadratic-plus-quartic expansion. While the former captures low-driving behavior slightly better, the latter more accurately describes the strongly driven regime and remains consistent with linear response theory near equilibrium. An empirical linear relation between dissipation and phase-space dimensionality loss is also identified, Λ(DKY6)/3\Lambda\propto (D_{KY}-6) / 3, where DKYD_{KY} is the approximate Kaplan-Yorke dimension. Our results demonstrate that nonlinear dissipation scaling emerges naturally even in minimal driven systems. Momentum statistics show significant non-Gaussian behavior under strong driving. Despite its dissipative nature, the model remains strictly time-reversible, offering a pedagogically rich example of microscopic reversibility coexisting with macroscopic entropy production.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2507.10863,
  title  = {Chaos in Nonequilibrium Two-Temperature $(T_x, T_y)$ Nos\'e-Hoover Cell Models},
  author = {Hesam Arabzadeh and Carol Griswold Hoover and William Graham Hoover and Brad Lee Holian},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.10863},
  year   = {2025}
}