Contributor info: Prof. Christian Maes

Roi Holtzman, Christian Maes

SciPost Phys. 17, 091 (2024) · published 25 September 2024 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We study the effects of correlations in a random environment on a random walker. The dependence of its asymptotic speed on the correlations is a nonperturbative effect as it is not captured by a homogeneous version of the same environment. For a slowly cooling environment, the buildup of correlations modifies the walker's speed and, by so, realizes acceleration. We remark on the possible relevance in the discussion of cosmic acceleration as traditionally started from the Friedmann equations, which, from a statistical mechanical point of view, would amount to a mean-field approximation. Our environment is much simpler though, with transition rates sampled from the one-dimensional Ising model and allowing exact results and detailed velocity characteristics.

Pritha Dolai, Christian Maes, Karel Netočný

SciPost Phys. 14, 126 (2023) · published 24 May 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We provide the theoretical basis of calorimetry for a class of active particles subject to thermal noise. Simulating AC-calorimetry, we numerically evaluate the heat capacity of run-and-tumble particles in double-well and in periodic potentials, and of systems with a flashing potential. Low-temperature Schottky-like peaks show the role of activity and indicate shape transitions, while regimes of negative heat capacity appear at higher propulsion speeds. From there, a significant increase in heat capacities of active systems may be inferred at low temperatures, as well as the possibility of diagnostic tools for the activity of self-motile artificial or biomimetic systems based on heat capacity measurements.

Christian Maes

SciPost Phys. Lect. Notes 32 (2021) · published 6 July 2021 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We review the physical meaning and mathematical implementation of the condition of local detailed balance for a class of nonequilibrium mesoscopic processes. A central concept is that of fluctuating entropy flux for which the steady average gives the mean entropy production rate. We repeat how local detailed balance is essentially equivalent to the widely discussed fluctuation relations for that entropy flux and hence is at most "only half of the story."