An integral fluctuation theorem for systems with unidirectional transitions

Abstract

The fluctuations of a Markovian jump process with one or more unidirectional transitions, where $R_{ij} >0$ but $R_{ji} =0$, are studied. We find that such systems satisfy an integral fluctuation theorem. The fluctuating quantity satisfying the theorem is a sum of the entropy produced in the bidirectional transitions and a dynamical contribution which depends on the residence times in the states connected by the unidirectional transitions. The convergence of the integral fluctuation theorem is studied numerically, and found to show the same qualitative features as in systems exhibiting microreversibility.