Stochastic Resonance and Crises

Abstract

Stochastic resonance is a phenomenon seen in multistable systems where the addition of noise to the system can amplify small periodic signals. We show in an experiment with a circuit that many of the concepts used to describe crises may also be used to describe stochastic resonance. We speculate that stochastic resonance may be an example of a crisis. This would allow the use of dynamical concepts to describe a process that is usually considered statistically.