Classical diamagnetism revisited

Abstract

The well-known Bohr-van Leeuwen Theorem states that the orbital diamagnetism of classical charged particles is identically zero in equilibrium. However, results based on real space-time approach using the classical Langevin equation predicts non-zero diamagnetism for classical unbounded (finite or infinite) systems. Here we show that the recently discovered Fluctuation Theorems, namely, the Jarzynski Equality or the Crooks Fluctuation Theorem surprisingly predicts a free energy that depends on magnetic field as well as on the friction coefficient, in outright contradiction to the canonical equilibrium results. However, in the cases where the Langevin approach is consistent with the equilibrium results, the Fluctuation Theorems lead to results in conformity with equilibrium statistical mechanics. The latter is demonstrated analytically through a simple example that has been discussed recently.