Stochastic resonance of front motion in inhomogeneous media

We study the motion of a front in a bistable system with two adjacent localized attracting inhomogeneities. We assume that the front is trapped by the inhomogeneities. If the system is additionally driven by noise the front is able to perform stochastic motion and hence achieves a probability to jump between the several attracting inhomogeneities. With a small periodic force applied to the system we will observe stochastic resonance in the motion of the front. At an optimal noise level the hopping dynamics of the front becomes most coherent and the response of the system to the periodic force is maximal. This effect is proposed for the control of front motion and as techniques for measurements in inhomogeneous bistable dynamics. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.