STOCHASTIC RESONANCE IN A MODE-LOCKED ACOUSTIC INTERFEROMETER

Stochastic resonance (SR) refers to a cooperative non-linear coupling of weak signals and noise, in systems whose signal response consists o f transitions from one state to another. It has not previously been id entified in an acoustic or ultrasonic system. In this paper, we examin e SR behaviour in a mode-locked ultrasonic interferometer, and show th at the classic signatures of the phenomenon are present. The coupling of energy can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the syst em and, in addition, provides some insight into the SR phenomenon itse lf (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.