1202.4529 (Doron Cohen et al.)

A straightforward quantum-mechanical derivation of the Crooks
fluctuation theorem and the Jarzynski equality    [PDF]

Doron Cohen, Yoseph Imry

We obtain the Crooks and the Jarzynski non-equilibrium fluctuation relations
using a direct quantum-mechanical approach for a finite system that is either
isolated or coupled not too strongly to a heat bath. These results were
hitherto derived mostly in the classical limit. The two main ingredients in the
picture are the time-reversal symmetry and the application of the first law to
the case where an agent performs work on the system. No further assumptions
regarding stochastic or Markovian behavior are necessary, neither a master
equation or a classical phase-space picture are required. The simplicity and
the generality of these non-equilibrium relations are demonstrated, giving very
simple insights into the Physics.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.4529