Spatial Distributions of Observables in Systems under Thermal Gradients

Abstract

Departures of observables from their thermal equilibrium expectation values are studied under heat flow in steady-state non-equilibrium environments. The relation between the spatial and temperature dependence of these non-equilibrium behaviors and the underlying statistical properties are clarified from general considerations. The predictions are then confirmed in direct numerical simulations within the FPU-$\beta$ model. Non-equilibrium momentum distribution functions are also examined and characterized through their cumulants and the properties of higher order cumulants are discussed.

9pp, 7figs