Thinking transport as a twist
arXiv:0807.2921 · doi:10.1007/s10955-009-9736-y
Abstract
The determination of the conductivity of a deterministic or stochastic classical system coupled to reservoirs at its ends can in general be mapped onto the problem of computing the stiffness (the `energy' cost of twisting the boundaries) of a quantum-like operator. The nature of the coupling to the reservoirs determines the details of the mechanical coupling of the torque at the ends.
21 pages, 1 figure. Minor corrections in Eq. (4)