Linking Entropy Production and Mutual Information in Langevin Dynamics

This paper establishes a direct link between entropy production (EP) and mutual information within the framework of overdamped Langevin dynamics. This is significant because it bridges information theory and nonequilibrium thermodynamics, potentially enabling data-driven approaches to understand and model complex systems. The derivation of an exact identity and the subsequent decomposition of EP into self and interaction components are key contributions. The application to red-blood-cell flickering demonstrates the practical utility of the approach, highlighting its ability to uncover active signatures that might be missed by conventional methods. The paper's focus on a thermodynamic calculus based on information theory suggests a novel perspective on analyzing and understanding complex systems.