Fluctuation theorems: Work is not an observable
Statistical Mechanics
2009-11-13 v3
Abstract
The characteristic function of the work performed by an external time-dependent force on a Hamiltonian quantum system is identified with the time-ordered correlation function of the exponentiated system's Hamiltonian. A similar expression is obtained for the averaged exponential work which is related to the free energy difference of equilibrium systems by the Jarzynski work theorem.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0703189,
title = {Fluctuation theorems: Work is not an observable},
author = {Peter Talkner and Eric Lutz and Peter Hanggi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0703189},
year = {2009}
}