Entropy for Strongly Coupled Oscillators

Abstract

This paper examines an approach for determining the entropy of coupled oscillators that does not rely on the assumption of weak coupling. The results of this approach are compared to the results for a weakly coupled system. It is shown that the results from each methodology agree in the case of weak coupling, and that a correction term is required for moderate to strong coupling. The correction term is shown to be related to the mixed energy term from the coupling spring as well as the geometry and stiffness of the system. Numerical simulations are performed for a symmetric system of identical coupled oscillators and an asymmetric system of nonidentical oscillators to demonstrate these findings.