Linear response theory for thermodynamic properties

A fluctuation-dissipation theorem, connecting all thermodynamic response functions to equilibrium fluctuations in the microcanonical ensemble, is derived from classical mechanics. This particular problem is not included in the usual Linear response scheme, since the relevant perturbations cannot be stated as additional terms in the Hamiltonian. In experiments where the only control parameter is the heat flow, dissipation is present in terms of an entropy flow from the system to the surroundings. As an example, the full frequency dependent thermodynamic response matrix is extracted from simulations of a supercooled binary Lennard-Jones fluid. This fluid shows rather high relaxation strength of all response functions, except of the adiabatic compressibility. The low frequency limit of all thermodynamic susceptibilities increases as temperature is decreased along an isocore. [S1063-651X(99)10105-3].