We present an analysis and numerical study of a de superconducting qua
ntum interference device (SQUID) with a damped loop inductance. We fin
d a previously unreported regime of voltage-flux bistability due to th
e damping resistor when the SQUID is biased below the zero-field criti
cal current. We determine the region where this phenomenon can be foun
d in the parameter space defined by the damping resistance and the ind
uctance parameter. We show that switching between the bistable states
can be controlled by external flux pulses and by adding thermal noise
to the model, we have determined the maximum noise level at which the
bistability can:be seen. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.