Assessing the Suitability of the Langevin Equation for Analyzing Measured Data Through Downsampling

The measured time series from complex systems are renowned for their intricate stochastic behavior, characterized by random fluctuations stemming from external influences and nonlinear interactions. These fluctuations take diverse forms, ranging from continuous trajectories reminiscent of Brownian motion to noncontinuous trajectories featuring jump events. The Langevin equation serves as a powerful tool for generating stochasticity and capturing the complex behavior of measured data with continuous stochastic characteristics. However, the traditional modeling framework of the Langevin equation falls short when it comes to capturing the presence of abrupt changes, particularly jumps, in trajectories that exhibit non-continuity. Such non-continuous changes pose a significant challenge for general processes and have profound implications for risk management. Moreover, the discrete nature of observed physical phenomena, measured with a finite sample rate, adds another layer of complexity. In such cases, data points often appear as a series of discontinuous jumps, even when the underlying trajectory is continuous. In this study, we present an analytical framework that goes beyond the limitations of the Langevin equation. Our approach effectively distinguishes between diffusive or Brownian-type trajectories and trajectories with jumps. By employing downsampling techniques, where we artificially lower the sample rate, we derive a set of measures and criteria to analyze the data and differentiate between diffusive and non-diffusive behaviors. To further demonstrate its versatility and practical applicability, we have applied our proposed method to real-world data in various scientific fields, turbulence, optical tweezers for trapped particles, neuroscience, renewable energy, and market price analysis.