Statistical forces from close-to-equilibrium media

We discuss the physical meaning and significance of statistical forces on quasi-static probes in first order around detailed balance for driven media. Exploiting the quasi-static energetics and the structure of (McLennan) steady nonequilibrium ensembles, we find that the statistical force obtains a nonequilibrium correction deriving from the excess work of driving forces on the medium in its relaxation after probe displacement. This reformulates, within a more general context, the recent result by Nakagawa (2014 Phys. Rev. E 90 022108) on thermodynamic aspects of weakly nonequilibrium adiabatic pumping. It also proposes a possible operational tool for accessing some excess quantities in steady state thermodynamics. Furthermore, we show that the point attractors of a (macroscopic) probe coupled to a weakly driven medium realize the predictions of the minimum entropy production principle. Finally, we suggest a method to measure the relative dynamical activity through different transition channels, via the measurement of the statistical force induced by a suitable driving.