Validity of the additivity principle in the weakly asymmetric exclusion process with open boundaries

Abstract

The additivity principle allows a calculation of current fluctuations and associated density profiles in large diffusive systems. In order to test its validity in the weakly asymmetric exclusion process with open boundaries, we use a numerical approach based on the density matrix renormalisation. With this technique, we determine the cumulant generating function of the current and the density profile corresponding to atypical currents in finite systems. We find that these converge to those predicted by the additivity principle. No evidence for dynamical phase transitions is found.