Master equation derivation of Keizer’s theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics with critical fluctuations

Abstract

A master equation derivation of Keizer’s theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics is presented. It reduces the number of independent postulates in Keizer’s theory from three to one, clarifies delicate questions regarding ’’scaling’’, and extends Keizer’s theory to include fluctuations at a critical point. The critical fluctuations are not Gaussian, like the noncritical fluctuations, but still possess a universal character exhibited in a distribution function which is the exponential of a quartic form. Both Fokker–Planck and nonlinear Langevin formulations are utilized.