Distribution of residence times in bistable noisy systems with time-delayed feedback

We analyze theoretically and experimentally the residence time distribution of bistable systems in the presence of noise and time-delayed feedback. We explain various nonexponential features of the residence time distribution using a two-state model and obtain a quantitative agreement with an experiment based on a Schmitt trigger. The limitations of the two-state model are also analyzed theoretically and experimentally using a semiconductor laser with optoelectronic feedback