Intermittency induced long-range cross-correlations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel mechanism where non-interacting particles exhibit power-law cross-correlations due to intermittent dynamics induced by an external potential, highlighting a potential link to collective behavior in critical systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates that divergence in laminar phase residence time can generate long-range cross-correlations without particle interaction, expanding understanding of collective phenomena.

Findings

Power-law cross-correlations arise in non-interacting particles due to intermittent dynamics.

Divergence of mean residence time in laminar phases is a key condition.

Mechanism may explain collective behavior in critical systems.

Abstract

Cross-correlations are usually considered to emerge through interaction between particles. Here we present a mechanism capable to generate power-law cross-correlations between non-interacting particles exposed to an external potential. This phenomenon can occur as an ensemble property when the external potential induces intermittent dynamics, providing laminar and stochastic phases of motion. We have strong indications that the divergence of the mean residence time in the laminar phase of the single particle motion - sporadic dynamics - is a sufficient condition for the emergence of long-range cross-correlations. We argue that this mechanism may be relevant for the occurrence of collective behaviour in critical systems.