Resonant exit time in stochastic and deterministic systems

Abstract

The motion of a particle in the field of a time-dependent potential is studied here both at absolute zero and in the presence of thermal agitation. The potential executes either random fluctuations or deterministic harmonic oscillations. Assuming absorbing boundaries it is always possible to find an exit time tau(ex)(kappa) which has a local minimum as a function of the potential flip rate kappa. Thus resonant activation, usually associated with diffussive systems, exists in purely deterministic systems as well. Thermal agitation merely extends the range of admissible initial conditions and renders all exit times finite.