On the Asymptotic Convergence of the Transient and Steady-State Fluctuation Theorems.

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to demonstrate the asymptotic convergence of the transient and steady-state forms of the fluctuation theorem. In the case of planar Poiseuille flow, we find that the transient form, valid for all times, converges to the steady-state predictions on microscopic time scales. Further, we find that the time of convergence for the two theorems coincides with the time required for satisfaction of the asymptotic steady-state fluctuation theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]