Equitability and explosive synchronisation in multiplex and higher-order networks
Equitability and explosive synchronisation in multiplex and higher-order networks
Cluster synchronisation is a key phenomenon observed in networks of coupled dynamical units. Its presence has been linked to symmetry and, more generally, to equability of the underlying pattern of interactions between dynamical units. However, it is not known under which conditions equitability-induced synchronisation is the only cluster synchronisation that can occur on a particular system. Here, we reveal a natural linear independent condition such that equitability becomes necessary, and sufficient, for the existence of cluster synchronised solutions on a very general dynamical system which allows multiplex or higher-order, arbitrarily weighted interactions. Our results explain the ubiquity of explosive synchronisation, as opposed to cluster synchronisation, in multiplex and higher-order networks: equitability imposes additional constraints that must be simultaneously satisfied on the same set of nodes. The outcomes of this work have significant implications for the design of complex dynamical systems of coupled dynamical units with arbitrary cluster synchronisation patterns and coupling functions.
Kovalenko, Kirill
fb055851-da87-4408-96fe-e714174d171e
Contreras-Aso, Gonzalo
272c853d-0720-4cce-8b09-cc41c3ba19f0
Genio, Charo I. del
fc0abb98-58c3-4889-9a66-b055ae7d42e3
Boccaletti, Stefano
53b7ff00-13bf-435c-99ef-38ffa67c596a
Sánchez-García, Rubén J.
8246cea2-ae1c-44f2-94e9-bacc9371c3ed
1 April 2026
Kovalenko, Kirill
fb055851-da87-4408-96fe-e714174d171e
Contreras-Aso, Gonzalo
272c853d-0720-4cce-8b09-cc41c3ba19f0
Genio, Charo I. del
fc0abb98-58c3-4889-9a66-b055ae7d42e3
Boccaletti, Stefano
53b7ff00-13bf-435c-99ef-38ffa67c596a
Sánchez-García, Rubén J.
8246cea2-ae1c-44f2-94e9-bacc9371c3ed
Kovalenko, Kirill, Contreras-Aso, Gonzalo, Genio, Charo I. del, Boccaletti, Stefano and Sánchez-García, Rubén J.
(2026)
Equitability and explosive synchronisation in multiplex and higher-order networks.
Communications Physics, 9 (1), [117].
(doi:10.1038/s42005-026-02543-5).
Abstract
Cluster synchronisation is a key phenomenon observed in networks of coupled dynamical units. Its presence has been linked to symmetry and, more generally, to equability of the underlying pattern of interactions between dynamical units. However, it is not known under which conditions equitability-induced synchronisation is the only cluster synchronisation that can occur on a particular system. Here, we reveal a natural linear independent condition such that equitability becomes necessary, and sufficient, for the existence of cluster synchronised solutions on a very general dynamical system which allows multiplex or higher-order, arbitrarily weighted interactions. Our results explain the ubiquity of explosive synchronisation, as opposed to cluster synchronisation, in multiplex and higher-order networks: equitability imposes additional constraints that must be simultaneously satisfied on the same set of nodes. The outcomes of this work have significant implications for the design of complex dynamical systems of coupled dynamical units with arbitrary cluster synchronisation patterns and coupling functions.
Text
s42005-026-02543-5
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 3 February 2026
e-pub ahead of print date: 24 February 2026
Published date: 1 April 2026
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 512225
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/512225
ISSN: 2399-3650
PURE UUID: ac077ff9-bc86-4b6c-9ef6-562f92f79092
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 19 Jun 2026 16:50
Last modified: 19 Aug 2026 02:36
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Kirill Kovalenko
Author:
Gonzalo Contreras-Aso
Author:
Charo I. del Genio
Author:
Stefano Boccaletti
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics