Current Fluctuations in the One-Dimensional Symmetric Exclusion Process with Open Boundaries

We calculate the first four cumulants of the integrated current of the one-dimensional symmetric simple exclusion process of N sites with open boundary conditions. For large system size N, the generating function of the integrated current depends on the densities ρa and ρb of the two reservoirs and on the fugacity z, the parameter conjugated to the integrated current, through a single parameter. Based on our expressions for these first four cumulants, we make a conjecture which leads to a prediction for all the higher cumulants. In the case ρa=1 and ρb=0, our conjecture gives the same universal distribution as the one obtained by Lee, Levitov, and Yakovets for one-dimensional quantum conductors in the metallic regime.