Flux response coefficients of linear energy converters.

An isomorphism was found to exist between the flux response coefficients and the thermodynamic quantities, degree of coupling and force ratio, of a linear symmetric energy converter. From the description of this energy converter in terms of nonequilibrium thermodynamics several constraints were obtained for the possible values of the flux response coefficients. Conversely, the control theoretical description of the system gave insight into the flux response characteristics of the energy converter operating at different steady states. This information could not have been obtained from a thermodynamic description alone.