The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Equitability and explosive synchronisation in multiplex and higher-order networks

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.

2399-3650
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
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).

Record type: Article

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
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (1MB)

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
ORCID for Rubén J. Sánchez-García: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6479-3028

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

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×