A field-theoretic approach to nonequilibrium work identities

Abstract

We study nonequilibrium work relations for a space-dependent field with stochastic dynamics (Model A). Jarzynski's equality is obtained through symmetries of the dynamical action in the path integral representation. We derive a set of exact identities that generalize the fluctuation-dissipation relations to non-stationary and far-from-equilibrium situations. These identities are prone to experimental verification. Furthermore, we show that a well-studied invariance of the Langevin equation under supersymmetry, which is known to be broken when the external potential is time-dependent, can be partially restored by adding to the action a term which is precisely Jarzynski's work. The work identities can then be retrieved as consequences of the associated Ward-Takahashi identities.