bistable
Flips between two
Bistable describes a system or device that has two stable states and can remain in either one until triggered to switch.
The term appears most often in electronics and physics: a bistable circuit stays in one position until a signal flips it to the other, like a light switch.
The bistable multivibrator toggles between on and off states.
History-dependent system response
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- nonlinearityDisproportionate cause and effect
- equilibriumState of balance
- attractorConvergence point for systems
perturbation · relaxation · dynamics · nucleation · coexistence · fluctuation
Sudden change of position
- latchDoor-securing catch
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
trigger · threshold · switching · digital · toggle · feedback · signal · capacitor
Circuit-breaking toggle device
- toggleTwo-position switch
- leverPivoting bar for lifting
- latchDoor-securing catch
- detentMechanism holding position temporarily
spring · actuator · mechanism · ratchet · cam · linkage · click · release
Involving official oversight
- epigeneticAffecting gene expression, not sequence
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
repressor · activator · threshold · developmental · signaling · homeostasis · commitment · irreversible
Concentrated light device
- photonicOf or using light
- resonatorFrequency-amplifying device
- cavityEmpty space within
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
modulator · waveguide · intensity · polarization · interferometer
Ongoing contest between opponents
- alternationSequential interchange of elements
- gestaltIntegrated perceptual whole
- figure-groundPerceptual separation of object and background
- interpretationAssigned meaning
hysteresis
History-dependent system response
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- nonlinearityDisproportionate cause and effect
- equilibriumState of balance
attractor · perturbation · relaxation · dynamics · nucleation · coexistence · fluctuation
flip-flop
Sudden change of position
- latchDoor-securing catch
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
semiconductor · trigger · threshold · switching · digital · toggle · feedback · signal · capacitor · resistor
switch
Circuit-breaking toggle device
detent · spring · actuator · mechanism · ratchet · cam · linkage · click · release · engage
regulatory
Involving official oversight
- epigeneticAffecting gene expression, not sequence
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
transcription · repressor · activator · threshold · developmental · signaling · homeostasis · commitment · irreversible
laser
Concentrated light device
light · modulator · waveguide · intensity · polarization · interferometer
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- alternationSequential interchange of elements
- gestaltIntegrated perceptual whole
- figure-groundPerceptual separation of object and background
- circuitsamplifier, circuit board, closed circuit, buffer, circuit diagram
- digital electronicslogic gates, logic gate, AND gate, flip-flops, flip-flop
- timing circuitsclock signal, oscillator, phase-locked loop, one-shot, duty cycle
- e-readersKindle, kindle, e-reader, e-ink, e-ink display
bistableunstable
Prone to sudden change
continuous · analog · metastable · linear · variable
bit, stable, stability, unstable, binary, bisect, stabilize, instability, bisexual