Physics of Large Deviation

Abstract

A large deviation function mathematically characterizes the statistical property of atypical events. Recently, in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, large deviation functions have been used to describe universal laws such as the fluctuation theorem. Despite such significance, large deviation functions have not been easily obtained in laboratory experiments. Thus, in order to understand the physical significance of large deviation functions, it is necessary to consider their experimental measurability in greater detail. This aspect of large deviation is discussed with the presentation of a future problem.