Percolation transitions in scale-free networks under the achlioptas process

Y. S. Cho, J. S. Kim, J. Park, B. Kahng, D. Kim

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Abstract

It has been recently shown that the percolation transition is discontinuous in Erdos-Rényi networks and square lattices in two dimensions under the Achlioptas process (AP). Here, we show that when the structure is highly heterogeneous as in scale-free networks, a discontinuous transition does not always occur: a continuous transition is also possible depending on the degree distribution of the scale-free network. This originates from the competition between the AP that discourages the formation of a giant component and the existence of hubs that encourages it. We also estimate the value of the characteristic degree exponent that separates the two transition types.

Original languageEnglish
Article number135702
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume103
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Sep 2009
Externally publishedYes

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