Entropy Production in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics

We consider systems of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, driven by nonconservative forces and in contact with an ideal thermostat. These are smooth dynamical systems for which one can define natural stationary states μ (SRB in the simplest case) and entropy production e(μ) (minus the sum of the Lyapunov exponents in the simplest case). We give exact and explicit definitions of the entropy production e(μ) for the various situations of physical interest. We prove that e(μ)≥0 and indicate cases where e(μ)>0. The novelty of the approach is that we do not try to compute entropy production directly, but make it depend on the identification of a natural stationary state for the system.