Fluctuation Induced Drift and Current Reversal in Symmetric Potentials

TL;DR

This paper investigates how non-Gaussian skewed noise influences particle motion in symmetric potentials, revealing current generation and reversal phenomena with potential applications in biological and physical systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates analytically and numerically that non-Gaussian noise with odd moments induces current and causes current reversal in symmetric potentials.

Findings

Non-Gaussian skewed noise induces a macroscopic current.

Current reverses sign as potential or noise strength varies.

Presence of odd moments in noise is crucial for current generation.

Abstract

We explore the motion of a classical particle in a symmetric potential with non-Gaussian skewed white noise. We show analytically and numerically that the presence of nonzero odd moments leads to a macroscopic current. For a noise with a vanishing third moment we find that the current changes sign as the potential or the noise strength is increased. Possible physical situations are discussed including motor-protein motion and driven systems like fluidized beds.