Nonequilibrium Response for Markov Jump Processes: Exact Results and Tight Bounds

Abstract

Generalizing response theory of open systems far from equilibrium is a central quest of nonequilibrium statistical physics. Using stochastic thermodynamics, we develop an algebraic method to study the response of nonequilibrium steady state to arbitrary perturbations. This allows us to derive explicit expressions for the response of edge currents as well as traffic to perturbations in kinetic barriers and driving forces. We also show that these responses satisfy very simple bounds. For the response to energy perturbations, we straightforwardly recover results obtained using nontrivial graph-theoretical methods.