Equilibrium regained: From nonequilibrium chaos to statistical mechanics

Far-from-equilibrium, spatially extended chaotic systems have generally elu ded analytical solution, leading researchers to consider theories based on a statistical rather than a detailed knowledge of the microscopic Length sc ales. Building on the recent discovery of a separation of length scales bet ween macroscopic behavior and microscopic chaos, a simple far-from-equilibr ium spatially extended chaotic system has been studied computationally at i ntermediate, coarse-grained scales. Equilibrium properties such as Gibbs di stributions and detailed balance are recovered at these scales, which sugge sts that the macroscopic behavior of some far-from-equilibrium systems migh t be understood in terms of equilibrium statistical mechanics.