David P. Ruelle, Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques

A generalized detailed balance relation

The transition probabilities of reactions J -> K and K -> J in a thermal bath are related because of the time reversal symmetry of fundamental physical laws. The relation is known as detailed balance relation. We study the problems that arise in obtaining a rigorous proof of detailed balance, using deterministic rather than Markovian dynamics. J. Englands’ biological applications of detailed balance are briefly considered.