Synchronization and stochastic resonance of noise-induced jumps in a bistable system

We determine stochastic resonance and locking conditions for noise-induced interwell jumps in a bistable system subject to a weak periodic signal. We demonstrate that the phenomena of stochastic resonance and synchronization are not contradictory and can be interpreted as the limit cases of hopping dynamics. The boundary between the domains of synchronization arid stochastic resonance is determined as a function of system's parameters. An extension to systems affected by coloured noise is discussed.