Fluctuation and dissipation in liquid-crystal electroconvection.
In this experiment a steady-state current is maintained through a liquid-crystal thin film. When the applied voltage is increased through a threshold, a phase transition is observed to a convective state characterized by the chaotic motion of rolls. Above the threshold, an increase in power consumption is observed that is manifested by an increase in the mean conductivity. A sharp increase in the ratio of the power fluctuations to the mean power dissipated is observed above the transition. This ratio is compared to the predictions of the fluctuation theorem of Gallavotti and Cohen using an effective temperature associated with the rolls' chaotic motion.
Goldburg
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Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
Goldschmidt
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Kellay
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