Work Fluctuations and Stochastic Resonance

TL;DR

This paper investigates work fluctuations in a driven Brownian particle system exhibiting stochastic resonance, analyzing the distribution of work, its mean behavior, and the applicability of fluctuation theorems.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of work fluctuations and their role in characterizing stochastic resonance in a double-well potential system.

Findings

Work distribution dominated by fluctuations

Mean work over a period characterizes stochastic resonance

Steady state fluctuation theorems' validity discussed

Abstract

We study Brownian particle motion in a double-well potential driven by an ac force. This system exhibits the phenomenon of stochastic resonance. Distribution of work done on the system over a drive period in the time asymptotic regime have been calculated. We show that fluctuations in the input energy or work done dominate the mean value. The mean value of work done over a period as a function of noise strength can also be used to characterise stochastic resonance in the system. We also discuss the validity of steady state fluctuation theorems in this particular system.