Detection of small single-cycle signals by stochastic resonance using a bistable superconducting quantum interference device

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a bistable rf-SQUID can detect small, brief signals through stochastic resonance, with optimal detection occurring at a specific noise level, confirmed by experiments and simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of stochastic resonance in a superconducting quantum device for detecting ultra-short signals.

Findings

Optimal detection occurs when noise-induced transition rate matches signal frequency

Experimental results align with numerical simulations of stochastic resonance

Bistable rf-SQUID effectively amplifies small signals via noise tuning

Abstract

We propose and experimentally demonstrate detecting small single-cycle and few-cycle signals by using the symmetric double-well potential of a radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device (rf-SQUID). We show that the response of this bistable system to single- and few-cycle signals has a non-monotonic dependence on the noise strength. The response, measured by the probability of transition from initial potential well to the opposite one, becomes maximum when the noise-induced transition rate between the two stable states of the rf-SQUID is comparable to the signal frequency. Comparison to numerical simulations shows that the phenomenon is a manifestation of stochastic resonance.