On the definition of entropy production, via examples

Abstract

We present a definition of entropy production rate for classes of deterministic and stochastic dynamics. The point of departure is a Gibbsian representation of the steady state path space measure for which “the density” is determined with respect to the time-reversed process. The Gibbs formalism is used as a unifying algorithm capable of incorporating basic properties of entropy production in nonequilibrium systems. Our definition is motivated by recent work on the Gallavotti–Cohen (local) fluctuation theorem and it is illustrated via a number of examples.