A field-theoretic approach to non-equilibrium work identities

Abstract

We study non-equilibrium work relations for a space-dependent field with stochastic dynamics (model A). Jarzynski's equality is obtained through symmetries of the dynamical action in the path-integral representation. We derive a set of exact identities that generalize the fluctuation–dissipation relations to non-stationary and far-from-equilibrium situations. These identities are prone to experimental verification. Furthermore, we show that a well-studied invariance of the Langevin equation under supersymmetry, which is known to be broken when the external potential is time dependent, can be partially restored by adding to the action a term which is precisely Jarzynski's work. The work identities can then be retrieved as consequences of the associated Ward–Takahashi identities.