For soft matter systems strongly driven by stationary flow, we discuss an extended fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT). Beyond the linear-response regime, the FDT for the stress acquires an additional contribution involving the observable that is conjugate to the strain rate with respect to the dissipation function. This extended FDT is evaluated both analytically for Rouse polymers and in numerical simulations for colloidal suspensions. More generally, our results suggest an extension of Onsager’s regression principle to nonequilibrium steady states.

• Received 28 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.79.040102