title: Stochastic dynamics of a Josephson junction threshold detector.
abstract: We generalize the stochastic path integral formalism by considering Hamiltonian dynamics in the presence of general Markovian noise. Kramers' solution of the activation rate for escape over a barrier is generalized for non-Gaussian driving noise in both the overdamped and underdamped limit. We apply our general results to a Josephson junction detector measuring the electron counting statistics of a mesoscopic conductor. The activation rate dependence on the third current cumulant includes an additional term originating from the backaction of the measurement circuit.
authors.affiliation: Départment de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Eugene V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Sukhorukov
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Jordan