Partial entropy production in heat transport

Abstract

We consider a system of two Brownian particles (say A and B), coupled to each other via harmonic potential of stiffness constant $k$. Particle-A is connected to two heat baths of constant temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$, and particle-B is connected to a single heat bath of a constant temperature $T_3$. In the steady state, the total entropy production for both particles obeys the fluctuation theorem. We compute the total entropy production due to one of the particles called as partial or apparent entropy production, in the steady state for a time segment $\tau$. When both particles are weakly interacting with each other, the fluctuation theorem for partial and apparent entropy production is studied. We find a significant deviation from the fluctuation theorem. The analytical results are also verified using numerical simulations.