Mapping from Architecture to Dynamics: A Unified View of Dynamical Processes on Networks

Jie Zhang, Changsong Zhou, Xiaoke Xu, Michael Small

Published 2009-08-16Version 1

Although it is unambiguously agreed that structure plays a fundamental role in shaping the dynamics of complex systems, this intricate relationship still remains unclear. We investigate a general computational transformation by which we can map the network topology directly to the dynamical patterns emergent on it -- independent of the nature of the dynamical process. We find that many seemingly diverse dynamical processes such as coupled oscillators and diffusion phenomena can all be understood and unified through this same procedure. Using the multiscale complexity measure derived form the structure-dynamics transformation, we find that the topological features like hierarchy, heterogeneity and modularity all result in higher complexity. This result suggests a universal principle: it is the desire for functional diversity that drives the evolution of network architecture.