Controlling nonlinear stochastic resonance by harmonic mixing

We investigate the potential for controlling the effect of nonlinear Stochastic Resonance (SR) by use of harmonic mixing signals for an overdamped Brownian dynamics in a symmetric double well potential. The periodic forcing for harmonic mixing consists of a first signal with a basic frequency Ω and a second, superimposed signal oscillating at twice the basic frequency 2Ω. By variation of the phase difference between these two components and the amplitude ratios of the driving the phenomenon of SR becomes a priori controllable. The harmonic mixing dynamically breaks the symmetry so that the time- and ensemble-average assumes a non-vanishing value. Independently of the noise level, the response can be suppressed by adjusting the phase difference. Nonlinear SR then exhibits resonances at higher harmonics with respect to the applied noise strength and relative phase. The scheme of nonlinear SR via harmonic mixing can be used to steer the nonlinear response and to sensitively measure the internal noise strength. We further demonstrate that the full Fokker-Planck dynamics can be well approximated by a two-state model.