Higher-Order Response Theory for Optimal Control in Thermodynamics
Research Paper#Stochastic Thermodynamics, Optimal Control, Response Theory🔬 Research|Analyzed: Jan 3, 2026 16:41•
Published: Dec 31, 2025 00:55
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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 / Citation
View Original"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."