Holographic Ricci dark energy and generalized second law

Abstract: We explore the validity of the generalized second law (GSL) of thermodynamics in flat FRW universe with apparent horizon and event horizon as the boundary. We found that in a universe with holographic Ricci dark energy and dark matter, interacting with each other, the GSL is satisfied at the apparent horizon and partially satisfied at the event horizon under thermal equilibrium conditions. We also analyses the GSL under non-equilibrium conditions and shows that the fulfillment of GSL at the apparent horizon implies that the temperature of the dark energy is greater than that of the horizon. Thus there occurs a flow of dark energy towards the apparent horizon. As a result the entropy of the dark energy decreases and that of horizon increases. This is verified by finding the evolution of the dark energy entropy and horizon entropy in a dark energy dominated universe under non-equilibrium conditions.