Power-fluctuation theorem for a Brownian oscillator in a thermal bath

Abstract

In this paper we prove the validity of the total power fluctuation theorem for a Brownian particle in a harmonic trap when it is dragged out of equilibrium, taking into account the inertia term in the Langevin equation. We first consider the theorem for an ordinary Brownian harmonic oscillator embedded in a thermal bath. As a second case we assume the presence of an electromagnetic field acting on the charged Brownian oscillator. In both cases, the theorem is proved for two examples in the trap motion, linear and oscillatory drag on the potential minimum.