title: Stochastic resonance in multistable systems: the role of intermediate states.
abstract: The classical setting of stochastic resonance is extended to account for the presence of an arbitrary number of simultaneously stable steady states. General expressions for the linear response are derived for systems involving one variable. The existence of an optimal value of noise strength and of an optimal number of stable states for which the response is maximized is established.
authors.affiliation: Institut Royal Météorologique de Belgique, 3 Avenue Circulaire, 1180 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicolis
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D013269:Stochastic Processes