Work

Entropy rate of diffusion processes on complex networks

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: We introduce the concept of entropy rate to characterize a diffusion process on a complex network. The entropy rate represents the minimal amount of information necessary to describe the diffusion on the network, and is a quantity extremely sensitive to the network topology and dynamics. By opportunely tuning the kind of diffusion, the entropy rate allows one to extract different properties of the network structure. Moreover, entropy maximization indicates how to design optimal diffusion processes, providing a new theoretical tool with applications to social, technological, and communication systems.

Source: Physical Review E

DOI: 10.1103/physreve.78.065102

Authors: Jesús Gómez-Gardeñes, Vito Latora

Institutions: Universidad de Zaragoza, University of Catania, Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos

Language: English

Topic: Complex Network Analysis Techniques

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Award: Shaping an International Grand Challenge Community for Ubiquitous Computing