Stochastic entropy production in the quite Sun magnetic fields

Abstract

The second law of thermodynamics imposes an increase of macroscopic entropy with time in an isolated system. Microscopically, however, the entropy production can be negative for a single, microscopic realization of a thermodynamic process. The so-called fluctuation theorems provide exact relations between the stochastic entropy consumption and generation. Here, we analyse pixel-to-pixel fluctuations in time of small-scale magnetic fields (SSMF) in the quiet Sun observed with the SDO/HMI instrument. We demonstrate that entropy generated by SSMF obeys the fluctuation theorems. In particular, the SSMF entropy consumption probability is exactly exponentially smaller than the SSMF entropy generation probability. This may have fundamental implications for the magnetic energy budget of the Sun. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society.