Linear dynamics subject to thermal fluctuations and non-Gaussian noise: From classical to quantum

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics of linear systems influenced by thermal fluctuations and non-Gaussian noise, revealing how higher order cumulants affect steady states and how quantum effects manifest transiently, with implications for sensor design.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of non-Gaussian noise effects on linear systems, including quantum regimes, using an exactly solvable model to elucidate detection mechanisms.

Findings

Higher order cumulants influence steady state distributions.

Quantum non-Gaussian properties are transient in energy representation.

Linear detectors can sense non-Gaussian noise at various temperatures.

Abstract

The dynamics of a linear system embedded in a heat bath environment and subject to non- Gaussian noise is studied. Higher order cumulants in coordinate space are derived and their impact on the dynamics and on asymptotic steady state distributions is analyzed. In the quantum regime non-Gaussian properties are present in the reduced density in coordinate representation which in energy representation exist on a transient time scale only due to symmetry. Within an exactly solvable model our results provide insight into mechanisms of linear detectors as sensors for non- Gaussian noise at high and low temperatures.