Paper detail

Rare Events, the Thermodynamic Action and the Continuous-Time Limit

We consider diffusion-like paths that are explored by a particle moving via a conservative force while being in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. To probe rare transitions, we use the Onsager-Machlup (OM) functional as a path probability distribution function for double-ended paths that are constrained to start and stop at predesignated points after a fixed time. We explore the continuous-time limit where the OM functional has been commonly regularized by using the Ito-Girsanov change of measure. When used as a path measure, the Ito-Girsanov expression generates an ensemble of double-ended paths that are unphysical. We expose the underlying reasons why this continuous-time limit does not, and cannot, generate a thermodynamic ensemble of paths. Furthermore, we show that the concept of the Most Probable Path and the Thermodynamic action are incompatible with such measures for discrete or continuous time diffusion processes.