On entropy production (Q952584): Difference between revisions

The paper's methodology traces back to Prigogine's theory of irreversible systems and an issue of irreversible time evolution in Onsager's formulation. The super-operator technique is developed, based on earlier papers of the present Author, with the aim of reconciling the conceptual background of an irreversible dynamics with principles of standard equilibrium thermodynamics, expected to be valid in the large time asymptotic of an evolution of a (quantum) system interacting with a thermal environment. The role of properly defined Lyapunov function is elucidated. The entropy production in the vicinity of equilibrium is investigated and a general version of the minimum entropy principle (according to Prigogine) is given.