Research Paper#Stochastic Thermodynamics, Optimal Control, Response Theory🔬 ResearchAnalyzed: Jan 3, 2026 16:41
Higher-Order Response Theory for Optimal Control in Thermodynamics
Analysis
This paper investigates the use of higher-order response theory to improve the calculation of optimal protocols for driving nonequilibrium systems. It compares different linear-response-based approximations and explores the benefits and drawbacks of including higher-order terms in the calculations. The study focuses on an overdamped particle in a harmonic trap.
Key Takeaways
- •Higher-order response theory can be used to refine calculations of optimal protocols in stochastic thermodynamics.
- •Including higher-order terms provides limited improvement in effectiveness.
- •Higher-order terms can lead to computationally expensive calculations and potentially unphysical results (negative excess work).
Reference
“The inclusion of higher-order response in calculating optimal protocols provides marginal improvement in effectiveness despite incurring a significant computational expense, while introducing the possibility of predicting arbitrarily low and unphysical negative excess work.”