Insight
Nature Physics Insight – Non-equilibrium physics
- Insight issue:
- February 2015 Volume 11, No 2
Efforts to probe the physics of systems removed from equilibrium date back to Maxwell himself. But recent progress has renewed interest in the endeavour — a trend highlighted by this Insight, collecting key advances from across the research spectrum.
Editorial
Topics in non-equilibrium physics - p103
Abigail Klopper
doi:10.1038/nphys3260
Full text - Foundations of quantum mechanics | PDF (249KB) - Foundations of quantum mechanics
Thesis
Dissipate to replicate - pp104
Mark Buchanan
doi:10.1038/nphys3246
Full text - Gravity in quantum mechanics | PDF (63KB) - Gravity in quantum mechanics
Commentary
Diverse phenomena, common themes - pp105 – 107
Christopher Jarzynski
doi:10.1038/nphys3229
Our framework for understanding non-equilibrium behaviour is yet to match the simplicity and power of equilibrium statistical physics. But recent theoretical and experimental advances reveal key principles that unify seemingly unrelated topics.
Abstract -Quantum causality | Full text - Quantum causality | PDF (752KB) - Quantum causality
Perspective
The other QFT - pp108 – 110
Peter Hänggi & Peter Talkner
doi:10.1038/nphys3167
Fluctuation theorems go beyond the linear response regime to describe systems far from equilibrium. But what happens to these theorems when we enter the quantum realm? The answers, it seems, are now coming thick and fast.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (311KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics
Progress Article
Active gel physics - pp110 – 117
J. Prost, F. Jülicher & J-F. Joanny
doi:10.1038/nphys3224
Equilibrium physics is ill-equipped to explain all of life's subtleties, largely because living systems are out of equilibrium. Attempts to overcome this problem have given rise to a lively field of research—and some surprising biological findings.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (958KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics
Towards quantum thermodynamics in electronic circuits - pp118 – 123
Jukka P. Pekola
doi:10.1038/nphys3169
Experiments probing non-equilibrium processes have so far been tailored largely to classical systems. The endeavour to extend our understanding into the quantum realm is finding traction in studies of electronic circuits at sub-kelvin temperatures.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (662KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics
Reviews
Quantum many-body systems out of equilibrium - pp124 – 130
J. Eisert, M. Friesdorf & C. Gogolin
doi:10.1038/nphys3215
Statistical mechanics is adept at describing the equilibria of quantum many-body systems. But drive these systems out of equilibrium, and the physics is far from clear. Recent advances have broken new ground in probing these equilibration processes.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (435KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics
Thermodynamics of information - pp131 – 139
Juan M. R. Parrondo, Jordan M. Horowitz & Takahiro Sagawa
doi:10.1038/nphys3230
The task of integrating information into the framework of thermodynamics dates back to Maxwell and his infamous demon. Recent advances have made these ideas rigorous—and brought them into the laboratory.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (918KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics