Control of a noise-induced transition in a nonlinear dynamical system.

Feedback control is applied to change conditions of a noise-induced transition in a nonlinear second order dynamic system. The mathematical model used in the analysis is a system of two-component equations describing operation of a semiconductor-gas-discharge image converter. The control algorithm is proposed using the speed-gradient method for a linearized model system. It is found by computer simulations that, under conditions when the noise is effective in determining the destructive dynamics of the system without control, the role of noise can be essentially suppressed by a proper feedback control. The control efficiency depends on the amplitude of control signal in a nonmonotonic way, thus demonstrating a resonancelike regularity. Application of the proposed control method can be useful in solving other problems, such as providing survival of endangered species in ecology, improving stability of lasers, etc.