Linear-nonlinear interaction’s effect on the power dependence of nonlinear distortion products

Abstract

An unusual power dependence of the nonlinear distortion produced by a two-tone test has been observed in several different physical systems. We show that the interaction between the nonlinear and linear elements of a system can dramatically transform the overall nonlinear behavior of the system from that of the nonlinear component in isolation. In particular, we show that when interaction with the linear elements of an electric circuit is appropriately accounted for, rather simple models of nonlinearity display the unusual power dependence of nonlinear distortion products observed in a variety of physical systems.