Resonant trapping: A failure mechanism in switch transitions

Abstract
Stochastic resonance in a time-modulated bistable system is shown to survive at modulation amplitudes larger than the relevant dynamical bistability threshold. Residual stochastic resonance is related to a synchronization-loss mechanism (resonant trapping), which attains its maximum effect for noise-intensities proportional to the excess modulation amplitude. Such a phenomenon provides an effective model of noise- induced failures in switch devices.