We extend results by Stotland and Di Ventra on the phenomenon of resistive switching aided by noise. We further the analysis of the mechanism underlying the beneficial role of noise and study the EPIR (Electrical Pulse Induced Resistance) ratio depen
dence with noise power. In the case of internal noise we find an optimal range where the EPIR ratio is both maximized and independent of the preceding resistive state. However, when external noise is considered no beneficial effect is observed.
We study the effect of external noise on resistive switching. Experimental results on a manganite sample are presented showing that there is an optimal noise amplitude that maximizes the contrast between high and low resistive states. By means of num
erical simulations, we study the causes underlying the observed behavior. We find that experimental results can be related to general characteristics of the equations governing the system dynamics.
