Decoupling process for better synchronizability on scale-free networks

We propose a decoupling process performed in scale-free networks to enhance the synchronizability of the network, together with preserving the scale-free structure. Simulation results show that the decoupling process can effectively promote the network synchronizability, which is measured in terms of eigenratio of the coupling matrix. Moreover, we investigate the correlation between some important structural properties and the collective synchronization, and find that the maximum vertex betweenness seems to be the most strongly correlated with the synchronizability among the major structural features considered. We explain the effect of the decoupling process from a viewpoint of coupling information transmission. Our work provides some evidence that the dynamics of synchronization is related to that of information or vehicle traffic. Because of the low cost in modifying the coupling network, the decoupling process may have potential applications. © 2006 The American Physical Society.