Mapping of uncertainty relations between continuous and discrete time

Abstract

Lower bounds on fluctuations of thermodynamic currents depend on the nature of time: discrete or continuous. To understand the physical reason, we compare current fluctuations in discrete-time Markov chains and continuous-time master equations. We prove that current fluctuations in the master equations are always more likely, due to random timings of transitions. This comparison leads to a mapping of the moments of a current between discrete and continuous time. We exploit this mapping to obtain new uncertainty bounds. Our results reduce the quests for uncertainty bounds in discrete and continuous time to a single problem.