Thermodynamic entropy as a Noether invariant in a Langevin equation

Abstract

We study the thermodynamic entropy as a Noether invariant in a stochastic process. Following the Onsager theory, we consider the Langevin equation for a thermodynamic variable in a thermally isolated system. By analyzing the Martin-Siggia-Rose-Janssen-de Dominicis action of the Langevin equation, we find that this action possesses a continuous symmetry in quasi-static processes, which leads to the thermodynamic entropy as the Noether invariant for the symmetry.