Entropy production in classical and quantum systems (Q2719840)

Koopmanism -- the spectral theory of dynamical systems -- reduces the studyNEWLINEof dynamical properties of a classical or quantum system \(S\) to the spectralNEWLINEanalysis of its Liouvillean \(L_S\). By definition, the operator \(L_S\) implementsNEWLINEthe dynamics on a suitable representation of the observable algebra of \(S\). NearNEWLINEthermal equilibrium, this representation can often be constructed explicitly.NEWLINERecent developments have shown that, in this situation, spectral analysis becomesNEWLINEa powerful tool in the study of thermal relaxation processes. Far from thermalNEWLINEequilibrium, the explicit construction of stationary states and of theNEWLINEcorresponding representations is usually not possible. Nevertheless, importantNEWLINEphysical properties of the system S can be obtained from a fairly simpleNEWLINEmathematical analysis. In this work, I investigate entropy production in openNEWLINEsystems driven away from equilibrium by thermodynamic forces.