Utilizing hidden Markov processes as a new tool for experimental physics

Abstract

A hidden Markov process is a well known concept in information theory and is used for a vast range of applications such as speech recognition and error correction. We bridge between two disciplines, experimental physics and advanced algorithms, and propose to use a physically oriented hidden Markov process as a new tool for analyzing experimental data. This tool enables one to extract valuable information on physical parameters of complex systems. We demonstrate the usefulness of this technique on low dimensional electronic systems which exhibit time dependent resistance noise. This method is expected to become a standard technique in experimental physics.