7.4 Onsager relations

Onsager relations are a key concept in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. They describe how systems behave when slightly out of equilibrium, connecting microscopic reversibility to macroscopic irreversible processes. These relations provide a framework for understanding transport phenomena and predicting cross-effects in various systems.

The fundamentals of Onsager relations include the reciprocity theorem, linear response theory, and the principle of microscopic reversibility. These concepts help explain how thermodynamic forces and fluxes are related, forming the basis for linear irreversible thermodynamics and its applications in real-world systems.

Fundamentals of Onsager relations

• Onsager relations form a cornerstone of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics describing the behavior of systems slightly out of equilibrium
• These relations provide a framework for understanding how microscopic reversibility manifests in macroscopic irreversible processes
• Connects thermodynamic forces and fluxes in a systematic way, allowing for the prediction of various transport phenomena

Reciprocity theorem

Top images from around the web for Reciprocity theorem

• 

  Thermoelectric effects in graphene at high bias current and under microwave irradiation ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Onsager reciprocal relations - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Thermoelectric effect - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Thermoelectric effects in graphene at high bias current and under microwave irradiation ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Onsager reciprocal relations - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Reciprocity theorem

• 

  Thermoelectric effects in graphene at high bias current and under microwave irradiation ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Onsager reciprocal relations - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Thermoelectric effect - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Thermoelectric effects in graphene at high bias current and under microwave irradiation ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Onsager reciprocal relations - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• States that in linear transport processes, the coupling between two fluxes exhibits symmetry
• Mathematically expressed as $L_{ij} = L_{ji}$, where L_{ij} are the Onsager coefficients
• Applies to systems close to equilibrium where linear approximations hold
• Derived from the principle of microscopic reversibility and time-reversal symmetry
• Allows for the prediction of cross-phenomena effects (thermoelectric effects)

Linear response theory

• Describes how a system responds to small external perturbations
• Assumes a linear relationship between the applied force and the resulting flux
• Utilizes correlation functions to relate microscopic fluctuations to macroscopic transport coefficients
• Leads to the formulation of Green-Kubo relations, connecting equilibrium fluctuations to transport coefficients
• Applicable to a wide range of phenomena (electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity)

Microscopic reversibility principle

• Asserts that at the microscopic level, the equations of motion are invariant under time reversal
• Fundamental to the derivation of Onsager reciprocal relations
• Implies that the probability of a microscopic process and its time-reversed counterpart are equal in equilibrium
• Does not contradict macroscopic irreversibility due to statistical considerations
• Crucial for understanding the connection between microscopic dynamics and macroscopic behavior

Thermodynamic forces and fluxes

• Thermodynamic forces and fluxes represent the driving factors and resulting flows in non-equilibrium systems
• These concepts provide a framework for describing transport phenomena in statistical mechanics
• Understanding the relationship between forces and fluxes allows for the prediction of system behavior under various conditions

Generalized forces

• Represent the driving factors that push a system away from equilibrium
• Derived from gradients in intensive thermodynamic variables (temperature, chemical potential)
• Expressed mathematically as the negative gradient of the relevant thermodynamic potential
• Can be scalar quantities (pressure difference) or vector quantities (temperature gradient)
• Often denoted as X_i in the context of Onsager relations

Thermodynamic fluxes

• Describe the flow of extensive quantities in response to generalized forces
• Represent the system's attempt to return to equilibrium
• Include flows of energy, mass, charge, or other conserved quantities
• Typically denoted as J_i in Onsager's formalism
• Can be measured experimentally to determine transport coefficients

Force-flux relationships

• Describe how thermodynamic fluxes respond to applied generalized forces
• In the linear regime, expressed as $J_i = \sum_j L_{ij} X_j$, where L_{ij} are the Onsager coefficients
• Coefficients L_{ij} represent the coupling between different forces and fluxes
• Diagonal coefficients (i = j) describe direct effects (Fourier's law)
• Off-diagonal coefficients (i ≠ j) represent cross-phenomena (Seebeck effect)

Linear irreversible thermodynamics

• Provides a framework for describing systems slightly out of equilibrium using linear approximations
• Builds upon the concepts of thermodynamic forces and fluxes to describe irreversible processes
• Allows for the systematic treatment of coupled transport phenomena in near-equilibrium systems

Near-equilibrium systems

• Characterized by small deviations from thermodynamic equilibrium
• Allow for the application of linear approximations in force-flux relationships
• Exhibit local equilibrium, where thermodynamic variables remain well-defined on a mesoscopic scale
• Typically involve small gradients in intensive variables (temperature, chemical potential)
• Provide the context in which Onsager relations are most applicable and accurate

Entropy production

• Quantifies the irreversibility of processes in non-equilibrium systems
• Expressed as the product of thermodynamic forces and fluxes: $\sigma = \sum_i J_i X_i$
• Always non-negative, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics
• Serves as a measure of the system's departure from equilibrium
• Can be minimized to find steady-state configurations in non-equilibrium systems

Onsager coefficients

• Describe the coupling between thermodynamic forces and fluxes in linear irreversible processes
• Form a symmetric matrix due to the Onsager reciprocal relations: $L_{ij} = L_{ji}$
• Positive definite to ensure non-negative entropy production
• Can be determined experimentally or calculated using statistical mechanical methods
• Provide a complete description of transport phenomena in the linear regime

Symmetry in transport coefficients

• Explores the inherent symmetries in the relationships between thermodynamic forces and fluxes
• Stems from fundamental principles of microscopic reversibility and time-reversal symmetry
• Plays a crucial role in simplifying the description of coupled transport phenomena in statistical mechanics

Cross-phenomena effects

• Describe the coupling between different types of thermodynamic forces and fluxes
• Arise from the off-diagonal elements of the Onsager coefficient matrix
• Include thermoelectric effects (Seebeck effect, Peltier effect) and thermomagnetic phenomena (Nernst effect)
• Can be predicted and quantified using Onsager reciprocal relations
• Often lead to novel applications in energy conversion and sensing technologies

Curie principle

• States that fluxes and forces of different tensorial character do not couple in isotropic systems
• Imposes additional symmetry constraints on the Onsager coefficient matrix
• Reduces the number of independent coefficients in systems with high symmetry
• Applies to systems without external magnetic fields or rotation
• Helps in simplifying the description of transport phenomena in many practical situations

Onsager-Casimir relations

• Extend the Onsager reciprocal relations to systems with external magnetic fields or rotation
• Account for the breaking of time-reversal symmetry by these external influences
• Expressed as $L_{ij}(B) = L_{ji}(-B)$, where B represents the magnetic field
• Provide a framework for understanding magneto-transport phenomena (Hall effect)
• Crucial for describing transport in systems with broken time-reversal symmetry (superconductors)

Applications of Onsager relations

• Onsager relations find widespread use in describing and predicting various transport phenomena in physics and chemistry
• These applications demonstrate the power of the linear irreversible thermodynamics framework in real-world systems
• Understanding these applications helps connect abstract theoretical concepts to observable phenomena

Thermoelectric effects

• Describe the interconversion between thermal and electrical energy in conducting materials
• Include the Seebeck effect (voltage generation from temperature gradient) and Peltier effect (heat flow from electric current)
• Quantified by the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT, which depends on Onsager coefficients
• Used in thermoelectric generators for waste heat recovery and solid-state cooling devices
• Onsager relations predict the equality of Seebeck and Peltier coefficients, confirmed experimentally

Diffusion processes

• Describe the movement of particles or energy down concentration or potential gradients
• Include simple diffusion, thermal diffusion (Soret effect), and pressure diffusion
• Fick's laws of diffusion emerge as a special case of Onsager's formalism
• Cross-diffusion effects in multicomponent systems can be described using off-diagonal Onsager coefficients
• Applications range from materials science (alloy formation) to biology (membrane transport)

Chemical reactions

• Onsager relations apply to coupled chemical reactions near equilibrium
• Describe the interplay between reaction rates and chemical affinities
• Allow for the prediction of reaction coupling and oscillatory behavior in complex reaction networks
• Used in understanding biochemical cycles and industrial chemical processes
• Provide a framework for optimizing reaction conditions and yields in chemical engineering

Limitations and extensions

• While powerful, Onsager relations have limitations in their applicability to certain systems
• Understanding these limitations and subsequent extensions is crucial for applying the theory correctly
• Ongoing research continues to expand the scope and applicability of non-equilibrium thermodynamics

Non-linear regimes

• Occur when systems are driven far from equilibrium, invalidating linear approximations
• Require higher-order terms in the force-flux relationships
• Can lead to emergent phenomena not predicted by linear theory (pattern formation, self-organization)
• Studied using methods from non-linear dynamics and chaos theory
• Examples include turbulent flows and chemical oscillations (Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction)

Far-from-equilibrium systems

• Characterized by large gradients or rapid changes in thermodynamic variables
• Linear Onsager relations break down, requiring more advanced theoretical frameworks
• Studied using methods like extended irreversible thermodynamics and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics
• Can exhibit complex behaviors (bifurcations, phase transitions) not seen in near-equilibrium systems
• Examples include plasma physics, strongly driven chemical reactions, and biological systems

Fluctuation-dissipation theorem

• Relates the response of a system to external perturbations to its spontaneous fluctuations in equilibrium
• Generalizes Onsager's ideas to a broader class of systems and phenomena
• Expressed mathematically as a relation between response functions and correlation functions
• Applies to both classical and quantum systems, bridging microscopic and macroscopic descriptions
• Crucial for understanding noise and dissipation in various physical systems (electrical circuits, mechanical oscillators)

Experimental verification

• Experimental validation of Onsager relations is crucial for confirming their theoretical predictions
• These experiments often involve precise measurements of transport coefficients and their symmetries
• Challenges in experimental verification have led to refinements in both theory and measurement techniques

Measurement techniques

• Involve precise determination of thermodynamic forces and resulting fluxes
• Include thermoelectric measurements (Seebeck coefficient, Peltier coefficient)
• Utilize advanced spectroscopic methods (neutron scattering, light scattering) for probing microscopic dynamics
• Employ microfluidic devices for studying coupled diffusion processes
• Require careful control of experimental conditions to ensure near-equilibrium conditions

Case studies

• Thermoelectric materials: Verification of the equality of Seebeck and Peltier coefficients
• Multicomponent diffusion in liquids: Measurement of cross-diffusion coefficients
• Coupled transport in biological membranes: Validation of Onsager symmetry in ion channels
• Magneto-transport phenomena: Experimental confirmation of Onsager-Casimir relations
• Chemical reaction networks: Verification of coupling between reaction rates in complex systems

Challenges in validation

• Maintaining near-equilibrium conditions while still generating measurable fluxes
• Isolating specific transport phenomena from other effects in complex systems
• Achieving sufficient precision in measurements to confirm predicted symmetries
• Dealing with non-linear effects that can obscure linear Onsager relations
• Extending measurements to quantum systems and far-from-equilibrium regimes

Mathematical formalism

• Provides a rigorous framework for expressing and analyzing Onsager relations
• Utilizes concepts from linear algebra, differential equations, and statistical mechanics
• Essential for deriving predictions and understanding the underlying symmetries in transport phenomena

Matrix representation

• Expresses force-flux relationships in a compact form: $J_i = \sum_j L_{ij} X_j$
• Onsager coefficients form a symmetric matrix L due to reciprocal relations
• Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of L provide insight into principal modes of transport
• Allows for the application of linear algebra techniques to analyze coupled transport phenomena
• Facilitates the treatment of systems with multiple interacting forces and fluxes

Time-reversal symmetry

• Fundamental principle underlying the derivation of Onsager reciprocal relations
• Expressed mathematically through the microscopic equations of motion
• Leads to the equality of time-correlation functions for forward and reversed processes
• Broken in systems with external magnetic fields, leading to Onsager-Casimir relations
• Connects microscopic reversibility to macroscopic irreversibility through statistical considerations

Fluctuation theory

• Describes the statistical properties of spontaneous fluctuations in equilibrium systems
• Relates equilibrium fluctuations to transport coefficients through Green-Kubo relations
• Expressed using time-correlation functions of relevant dynamical variables
• Provides a bridge between microscopic dynamics and macroscopic transport phenomena
• Generalizes to non-equilibrium steady states through fluctuation theorems

Historical context

• Tracing the development of Onsager relations provides insight into the evolution of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics
• Understanding the historical context helps appreciate the significance of these relations in modern physics and chemistry
• Highlights the interplay between theoretical advances and experimental discoveries in shaping our understanding of irreversible processes

Onsager's contributions

• Lars Onsager formulated the reciprocal relations in 1931, earning him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1968
• Built upon earlier work on irreversible processes by Thomson, Helmholtz, and others
• Introduced the concept of microscopic reversibility as a fundamental principle in statistical mechanics
• Developed a general theory of irreversible processes near equilibrium
• Provided a rigorous mathematical framework for describing coupled transport phenomena

Development of non-equilibrium thermodynamics

• Emerged as a distinct field in the mid-20th century, building on Onsager's work
• Prigogine extended the theory to include chemical reactions and far-from-equilibrium systems
• Green and Kubo developed the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, generalizing Onsager's ideas
• Extended irreversible thermodynamics developed to address limitations in fast-changing systems
• Stochastic thermodynamics emerged to deal with small systems and fluctuations

Modern perspectives

• Onsager relations now viewed as a special case of more general fluctuation theorems
• Increased focus on non-linear and far-from-equilibrium phenomena in complex systems
• Application of Onsager's ideas to quantum transport and mesoscopic systems
• Growing importance in understanding biological systems and designing efficient energy conversion devices
• Continued relevance in developing theoretical frameworks for active matter and driven systems