Unifying approach for fluctuation theorems from joint probability distributions (1007.1435v1)

Abstract: Any decomposition of the total trajectory entropy production for Markovian systems has a joint probability distribution satisfying a generalized detailed fluctuation theorem, when all the contributing terms are odd with respect to time reversal. The expression of the result does not bring into play dual probability distributions, hence easing potential applications. We show that several fluctuation theorems for perturbed non-equilibrium steady states are unified and arise as particular cases of this general result. In particular, we show that the joint probability distribution of the system and reservoir trajectory entropies satisfy a detailed fluctuation theorem valid for all times although each contribution does not do it separately.