Keywords: stochastic resonance, non-linear vibration, interwell hopping, dynamic stability, bi-stable system.

Stochastic resonance (SR) is a phenomenon which can be observed in many non-linear dynamic systems under combined excitation mostly including deterministic periodic force and random noise. This phenomenon was observed first in the early 1940s when investigating the Brownian motion. Later several disciplines in optics, plasma physics, biomedicine and social sciences encountered effects of this type.

The phenomenon itself manifests by a stable periodic hopping between two nearly constant limits perturbed by random noises. The occurrence of this phenomenon depends on certain combinations of input parameters, which can be determined theoretically and verified experimentally. The basic version of SR can occur in a bi-stable system under a suitable combination of the additive Gaussian white noise and harmonic deterministic force.

Long-term experience shows that SR should be assumed either as a dangerous effect of a post-critical system response which should be suppressed (plasma physics, aeroelasticity, etc.) or it can represent an operating mode of the system itself (optics, special excitation devices, subthreshold signal detection, medical devices, etc.).

An overview of SR occurrence and utilization in various disciplines in physical, life and engineering disciplines is briefly outlined. Some possibilities of modelling in dynamics using SR strategy are indicated. Then mathematical treatment and the most popular solution methods of investigation are pointed out including semi-analytic, numerical, simulation and experimental approaches. Two application possibilities in mechanics and engineering practice are given. Some open problems at the level of basic and applied research are indicated.

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