Stochastic resonance and the benefit of noise in nonlinear systems

Stochastic resonance is a nonlinear effect wherein the noise turns out to be beneficial to the transmission or detection of an information-carrying signal. This paradoxical effect has now been reported in a large variety of nonlinear systems, including electronic circuits, optical devices, material-physics phenomena, neuronal systems, chemical reactions. Stochastic resonance can take place under various forms, according to the types considered for the noise, for the information-carrying signal, for the nonlinear system realizing the transmission or detection, and for the quantitative measure of performance receiving improvement from the noise. These elements will be discussed here so as to provide a general overview of the effect. Various examples will be treated that illustrate typical types of signals and nonlinear systems that can give rise to stochastic resonance. Various measures to quantify stochastic resonance will also be presented, together with analytical approaches for the theoretical prediction of the effect. For instance, we shall describe systems where the output signal-to-noise ratio or the input-output information capacity increase when the noise level is raised. Also temporal signals as well as images will be considered. Perspectives on current developments on stochastic resonance will be evoked.