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Non-equilibrium Lyapunov function and a fluctuation relation for stochastic systems: Poisson representation approach

We present a statistical physics framework for description of nonlinear non-equilibrium stochastic processes, modeled via chemical master equation, in the weak-noise limit. Using the Poisson representation approach and applying the large-deviation principle we first solve the master equation. Then we use the notion of the non-equilibrium free energy to derive an integral fluctuation relation for nonlinear non-equilibrium systems under feedback control. We point out that the free energy as well as some functionals can serve as non-equilibrium Lyapunov function which has an important property to decay to its minimal value monotonously at all times. The Poisson representation technique is illustrated via exact stochastic treatment of biophysical processes, such as bacterial chemosensing and molecular evolution.