THE THEOREM OF MINIMUM ENTROPY PRODUCTION AND STABILITY OF STATIONARY STATES

The theorem of minimum entropy production and its implication to stability of no-nequilibrium stationary states are examined. It is found that, apart from the assumption of linear phenomenological relations and weak amplitudes, the validity of this theorem depends on the degree of deviation of states discussed from critical stability of local equilibrium. The possibility of oceurence of ordered structures in linear nonequ-ilibrium region is also discussed.