The fluctuation-dissipation relation holds for a macroscopic tracer in an active bath.

Abstract

The fluctuation-dissipation relation (FDR) links thermal fluctuations and dissipation at thermal equilibrium through temperature. Extending it beyond equilibrium conditions in pursuit of broadening thermodynamics is often feasible, albeit with system-dependent specific conditions. We demonstrate experimentally that a generalized FDR holds for a harmonically trapped tracer colliding with self-propelled walkers. The generalized FDR remains valid across a large spectrum of active fluctuation frequencies, extending from underdamped to critically damped dynamics, which we attribute to a single primary channel for energy input and dissipation in our system.