Enhancement of stochastic resonance: the role of non Gaussian noises

We have analyzed the phenomenon of stochastic resonance in a double well potential driven by a colored non Gaussian noise. Using a path-integral approach we have obtained a consistent Markovian approximation that enables us to get, through the two state theory, analytical expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio, finding an enhancement of this quantity when the system departs from Gaussian behavior. This finding is supported by extensive numerical simulations. We discuss the relation of these results to some experiments in sensory systems. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.