Eur. Phys. J. B 61, 67-73 (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2008-00027-y

A random walker on a ratchet potential: effect of a non Gaussian noise

¹ Departamento de Física, FCEyN, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata Deán Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
² Instituto de Física de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria and CSIC, Avda. Los Castros s/n, E-39005 Santander, Spain

Corresponding author: ^a wio@ifca.unican.es

Received: 19 July 2007
Revised: 30 November 2007
Published online: 18 January 2008

Abstract

We analyze the effect of a colored non Gaussian noise on a model of a random walker moving along a ratchet potential. Such a model was motivated by the transport properties of motor proteins, like kinesin and myosin. Previous studies have been realized assuming white noises. However, for real situations, in general we could expect that those noises be correlated and non Gaussian. Among other aspects, in addition to a maximum in the current as the noise intensity is varied, we have also found another optimal value of the current when departing from Gaussian behavior. We show the relevant effects that arise when departing from Gaussian behavior, particularly related to current's enhancement, and discuss its relevance for both biological and technological situations.