The distribution function of entropy flow in stochastic systems

Abstract

We obtain a simple direct derivation of the differential equation governing the entropy flow probability distribution function of a stochastic system first obtained by Lebowitz and Spohn. Its solution agrees well with the experimental results of Tietz et al [2006 {\it Phys. Rev. Lett.} {\bf 97} 050602]. A trajectory-sampling algorithm allowing to evaluate the entropy flow distribution function is introduced and discussed. This algorithm turns out to be effective at finite times and in the case of time-dependent transition rates, and is successfully applied to an asymmetric simple exclusion process.