Quantum Reciprocity Conjecture for the Non-Equilibrium Steady State

Abstract

By considering the lack of history dependence in the non-equilibrium steady state of a quantum system we are led to conjecture that in such a system, there is a set of quantum mechanical observables whose retarded response functions are insensitive to the arrow of time, and which consequently satisfy a quantum analog of the Onsager reciprocity relations. Systems which satisfy this conjecture can be described by an effective Free energy functional. We demonstrate that the conjecture holds in a resonant level model of a multi-lead quantum dot.

References revised to take account of related work on Onsager reciprocity in mesoscopics by Christen, and in hydrodynamics by Mclennan, Dufty and Rubi