Divide and conquer: resonance induced by competitive interactions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a network of spins with mixed attractive and repulsive interactions responds to weak signals, revealing an optimal level of disorder that maximizes coherence through resonance effects.

Contribution

It introduces a model of disordered Ising networks with mixed interactions and demonstrates the existence of an optimal fraction of repulsive links for maximal response.

Findings

Optimal fraction of repulsive links enhances response

Resonance effect induced by competitive interactions

Analytical and numerical confirmation of results

Abstract

We study an Ising model in a network with disorder induced by the presence of both attractive and repulsive links. This system is subjected to a subthreshold signal, and the goal is to see how the response is enhanced for a given fraction of repulsive links. This can model a network of spin-like neurons with excitatory and inhibitory couplings. By means of numerical simulations and analytical calculations we find that there is an optimal probability, such that the coherent response is maximal.