Nonequilibrium phase transitions in coordinated biological motion: Critical slowing down and switching time

In new experiments on coordinated biological motion we measure relaxation times and switching times as the system evolves from one coordinated state to another at a critical control parameter value. Deviations from the coordinated state are induced by mechanical perturbations and relative phase is used as an order parameter to monitor the dynamics of the collective state. Clear evidence for critical slowing down, a key feature of nonequilibrium phase transitions, is found. The mean and distribution of switching times closely match predictions from a stochastic dynamic theory. Together with earlier results on critical fluctuations these findings strongly favor an interpretation of coordinative change in biological systems as a nonequilibrium phase transition.     

Geometric phase contribution to quantum nonequilibrium many-body dynamics

We study the influence of geometry of quantum systems underlying space of states on its quantum many-body dynamics. We observe an interplay between dynamical and topological ingredients of quantum nonequilibrium dynamics revealed by the geometrical structure of the quantum space of states. As a primary example we use the anisotropic XY ring in a transverse magnetic field with an additional time-dependent flux. In particular, if the flux insertion is slow, nonadiabatic transitions in the dynamics are dominated by the dynamical phase. In the opposite limit geometric phase strongly affects transition probabilities. This interplay can lead to a nonequilibrium phase transition between these two regimes. We also analyze the effect of geometric phase on defect generation during crossing a quantum-critical point.     

Marginal Effect of Structural Defects on the Nonequilibrium Critical Behavior of the Two-Dimensional Ising Model

The influence of various initial magnetizations m0 and structural defects on the nonequilibrium critical behavior of the two-dimensional Ising model is numerically simulated by Monte Carlo methods. Based on analysis of the time dependence of magnetization and the two-time dependences of autocorrelation function and dynamic susceptibility, we revealed the influence of logarithmic corrections and the crossover phenomena of percolation behavior on the nonequilibrium characteristics and the critical exponents. Violation of the fluctuation–dissipation theorem is studied, and the limiting fluctuation–dissipation ratio is calculated for the case of high-temperature initial state. The influence of various initial states on the limiting fluctuation–dissipation ratio is investigated. The nonequilibrium critical dynamics of weakly disordered systems with spin concentrations p ≥ 0.9 is shown to belong to the universality class of the nonequilibrium critical behavior of the pure model and to be characterized by the same critical exponents and the same limiting fluctuation–dissipation ratios. The nonequilibrium critical behavior of systems with p ≤ 0.85 demonstrates that the universal characteristics of the nonequilibrium critical behavior depend on the defect concentration and the dynamic scaling is violated, which is related to the influence of the crossover effects of percolation behavior.     

Transition state theory: A generalization to nonequilibrium systems with power-law distributions

Transition state theory (TST) is generalized to nonequilibrium systems with power-law distributions. The stochastic dynamics that gives rise to the power-law distributions for the reaction coordinate and momentum is modeled by Langevin equations and corresponding Fokker-Planck equations. It is considered that a system far away from equilibrium does not have to relax to a thermal equilibrium state with Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution, but asymptotically approaches a nonequilibrium stationary state with a power-law distribution. Thus, we obtain a possible generalization of TST rates to nonequilibrium systems with power-law distributions. Furthermore, we derive the generalized TST rate constants for one-dimensional and n-dimensional Hamiltonian systems away from equilibrium, and obtain a generalized Arrhenius rate for systems with power-law distributions.     

Phase transitions and universality in nonequilibrium steady states of stochastic Ising models

We present results of direct computer simulations and of Monte Carlo renormalization group (MCRG) studies of the nonequilibrium steady states of a spin system with competing dynamics and of the voter model. The MCRG method, previously used only for equilibrium systems, appears to give useful information also for these nonequilibrium systems. The critical exponents are found to be of Ising type for the competing dynamics model at its second-order phase transitions, and of mean-field type for the voter model (consistent with known results for the latter).     

Ratchet effect in graphene with trigonal clusters

We introduce the Fisher information in the basis of decay modes of Markovian dynamics, arguing that it encodes important information about the behavior of nonequilibrium systems. In particular we generalize an orthonormality relation between decay eigenmodes of detailed balanced systems to normal generators that commute with their time-reversal. Viewing such modes as tangent vectors to the manifold of statistical distributions, we relate the result to the choice of a coordinate patch that makes the Fisher-Rao metric Euclidean at the steady distribution, realizing a sort of statistical equivalence principle. We then classify nonequilibrium systems according to their spectrum, showing that a degenerate Fisher matrix is the signature of the insurgence of a class of dynamical phase transitions between nonequilibrium regimes, characterized by level crossing and power-law decay in time of suitable order parameters. An important consequence is that normal systems cannot manifest critical behavior. Finally, we study the Fisher matrix of systems with time-scale separation.     

Applications of periodic orbit theory toN-particle systems

In recent years a number of new techniques have become available in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, all derived from dynamical system theory, especially from the thermodynamic formalism of Ruelle. We focus here on periodic orbit theory, and we compare it with a novel approach proposed by Evans, Cohen, and Morriss, and developed further by Gallavotti and Cohen. We argue that the two approaches based on such theories are equivalent for systems of many particles if the underlying dynamics is similar to that of Anosov systems, and that such equivalence should remain in more general situations. We extend our previous explanation of irreversibility in the thermostatted Lorentz gas toN-particle diffusion and shearing systems.     

RIBs in-flight production at the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud

Microscopic modeling of complex systems by cellular automata, which deal with particles at lattice sites interacting via simple local rules, involves some arbitrariness besides a drastic simplification of nature. Here we briefly report on some recent work on the influence of dynamic details on the morphological and critical properties of one of such model systems. In particular, we discuss on the similarities and differences between a kinetic nonequilibrium Ising model—which is a prototype for nonequilibrium anisotropic phase transitions—and its off–lattice counterpart, namely, an analogue in which the spatial coordinates of the particles vary continuously. We also pay attention to a related driven lattice model with nearest-neighbor exclusion.     

A study of void size growth in nonequilibrium stochastic systems of point defects

We study properties of voids growth dynamics in a stochastic system of point defects insolids under nonequilibrium conditions (sustained irradiation). It is shown thatfluctuations of defect production rate (external noise) increase the critical void radiuscomparing to a deterministic system. An automodel regime of void size growth in astochastic system is studied in detail. Considering a homogeneous system, it is found thatexternal noise does not change the universality of the void size distribution function;the mean void size evolves according to classical nucleation theory. The noise increasesthe mean void size and spreads the void size distribution. Studying dynamics of spatiallyextended systems it was shown that vacancies remaining in a matrix phase are able toorganize into vacancy enriched domains due to an instability caused by an elastic latticedeformation. It is shown that dynamics of voids growth is defined by void sinks strengthwith void size growth exponent varying from 1/3 up to 1/2.     

Phase transitions in a driven lattice gas in two planes

We report on a Monte Carlo study of ordering in a nonequilibrium system. The system is a lattice gas that comprises two equal, parallel square lattices with stochastic particle-conserving irreversible dynamics. The particles are driven along a principal direction under the competition of the heat bath and a large, constant external electric field. There is attraction only between particles on nearest-neighbor sites within the same lattice. Particles may jump from one plane to the other; therefore, density fluctuations have an extra mechanism to decay and build up. It helps to obtain the steady-state accurately. Spatial correlations decay with distance according to a power law at high enough temperature, as for the ordinary two-dimensional case. We find two kinds of nonequilibrium phase transitions. The first one has a critical point for half occupation of the lattice, and seems to be related to the anisotropic phase transition reported before for the plane. This transition becomes discontinuous for low enough density. The difference of density between the planes changes discontinuously for any density at a lower temperature. This seems to correspond to a phase transition that does not have a counterpart in equilibrium nor in the two-dimensional nonequilibrium case.     

Anisotropic finite-size scaling analysis of a two-dimensional driven diffusive system

The standard two-dimensional uniformly driven diffusive model is simulated extensively for much larger systems with a multi-spin coding technique. The nonequilibrium phase transition is analyzed with anisotropic finite-size scaling both at the critical point and off the critical point. The field-theoretic values of critical exponents fit the data well at and aboveT _c . BelowT _c the scaling is rather difficult and the results are not conclusive.     

Effects of turbulent mixing on the critical behavior

Effects of strongly anisotropic turbulent mixing on the critical behavior are studied by means of the renormalization group. Existence of new nonequilibrium types of critical regimes (universality classes) is established.     

非平衡相变的临界标度理论及普适性

综述了作者近年来在非平衡相变临界（ Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ） 标度理论及普适性研究的进展。主要包括一般 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 系统规格化模型,局域序参量的概率分布,广义势的临界渐近形式,空时有关函数及其临界奇异行为。论证了 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 系统的临界可标度性,导出了一组普适的 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 标度关系,由之计算出的４ 种 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 普适类的临界指数与目前已知的实验及理论结果吻合得非常好。此外,还讨论了非平衡相变临界标度理论的普适性,将平衡相变临界标度理论作为一种特殊极限情况含于同一理论体系中。     

Dynamics of 2D anisotropic solids,smectics and nematics

In this research we study the critical dynamics of anisotropic layers in the various transition and crossover regimes associated with a defect unbinding picture of the melting process. We derive dynamic equations of motion for anisotropic solids, smectics and nematics, in the presence of defects and predict the critical behavior of various transport coefficients. The theory is applicable to two-dimensional layers of freely suspended liquid crystals, on which dynamic light-scattering experiments can be performed to test the predictions of the theory.     

非平衡相变的临界标度理论及普适性

综述了作者近年来在非平衡相变临界（ Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ） 标度理论及普适性研究的进展。主要包括一般 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 系统规格化模型,局域序参量的概率分布,广义势的临界渐近形式,空时有关函数及其临界奇异行为。论证了 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 系统的临界可标度性,导出了一组普适的 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 标度关系,由之计算出的４ 种 Ｎ Ｐ Ｃ 普适类的临界指数与目前已知的实验及理论结果吻合得非常好。此外,还讨论了非平衡相变临界标度理论的普适性,将平衡相变临界标度理论作为一种特殊极限情况含于同一理论体系中。     

Thermal response in driven diffusive systems

Evaluating the linear response of a driven system to a change in environment temperature(s) is essential for understanding thermal properties of nonequilibrium systems. The system is kept in weak contact with possibly different fast relaxing mechanical, chemical or thermal equilibrium reservoirs. Modifying one of the temperatures creates both entropy fluxes and changes in dynamical activity. That is not unlike mechanical response of nonequilibrium systems but the extra difficulty for perturbation theory via path-integration is that for a Langevin dynamics temperature also affects the noise amplitude and not only the drift part. Using a discrete-time mesh adapted to the numerical integration one avoids that ultraviolet problem and we arrive at a fluctuation expression for its thermal susceptibility. The algorithm appears stable under taking even finer resolution.     

Fluctuations When Driving Between Nonequilibrium Steady States

Maintained by environmental fluxes, biological systems are thermodynamic processes that operate far from equilibrium without detailed-balanced dynamics. Yet, they often exhibit well defined nonequilibrium steady states (NESSs). More importantly, critical thermodynamic functionality arises directly from transitions among their NESSs, driven by environmental switching. Here, we identify the constraints on excess heat and dissipated work necessary to control a system that is kept far from equilibrium by background, uncontrolled “housekeeping” forces. We do this by extending the Crooks fluctuation theorem to transitions among NESSs, without invoking an unphysical dual dynamics. This and corresponding integral fluctuation theorems determine how much work must be expended when controlling systems maintained far from equilibrium. This generalizes thermodynamic feedback control theory, showing that Maxwellian Demons can leverage mesoscopic-state information to take advantage of the excess energetics in NESS transitions. We also generalize an approach recently used to determine the work dissipated when driving between functionally relevant configurations of an active energy-consuming complex system. Altogether, these results highlight universal thermodynamic laws that apply to the accessible degrees of freedom within the effective dynamic at any emergent level of hierarchical organization. By way of illustration, we analyze a voltage-gated sodium ion channel whose molecular conformational dynamics play a critical functional role in propagating action potentials in mammalian neuronal membranes.     

Finite-Time Universality in Nonequilibrium CFT

Recently, remarkably simple exact results were presented about the dynamics of heat transport in the local Luttinger model for nonequilibrium initial states defined by position-dependent temperature profiles. We present mathematical details on how these results were obtained. We also give an alternative derivation using only algebraic relations involving the energy-momentum tensor which hold true in any unitary conformal field theory (CFT). This establishes a simple universal correspondence between initial temperature profiles and the resulting heat-wave propagation in CFT. We extend these results to larger classes of nonequilibrium states. It is proposed that such universal CFT relations provide benchmarks to identify nonuniversal properties of nonequilibrium dynamics in other models.