Double Entropic Stochastic Resonance

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new type of stochastic resonance driven by entropic barriers in confined geometries, showing how noise can amplify weak signals through two distinct resonance peaks.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of entropic stochastic resonance (ESR) caused by geometric confinement, revealing two resonance peaks linked to inter-well and intra-well dynamics.

Findings

Two resonance peaks in spectral amplification at optimal noise levels

Resonance occurs due to entropic barriers, not energetic ones

Potential for novel applications leveraging entropic stochastic resonance

Abstract

We demonstrate the appearance of a purely entropic stochastic resonance (ESR) occurring in a geometrically confined system, where the irregular boundaries cause entropic barriers. The interplay between a periodic input signal, a constant bias and intrinsic thermal noise leads to a resonant ESR-phenomenon in which feeble signals become amplified. This new phenomenon is characterized by the presence of two peaks in the spectral amplification at corresponding optimal values of the noise strength. The main peak is associated with the manifest stochastic resonance synchronization mechanism involving the inter-well noise-activated dynamics while a second peak relates to a regime of optimal sensitivity for intra-well dynamics. The nature of ESR, occurring when the origin of the barrier is entropic rather than energetic, offers new perspectives for novel investigations and potential applications. ESR by itself presents yet another case where one constructively can harvest noise in driven nonequilibrium systems.