Optimal synchronizability of networks

We numerically investigate how to enhance synchronizability of coupled identical oscillators in complex networks with research focus on the roles of the high level of clustering for a given heterogeneity in the degree distribution. By using the edge-exchange method with the fixed degree sequence, we first directly maximize synchronizability measured by the eigenratio of the coupling matrix, through the use of the so-called memory tabu search algorithm developed in applied mathematics. The resulting optimal network, which turns out to be weakly disassortative, is observed to exhibit a small modularity. More importantly, it is clearly revealed that the optimally synchronizable network for a given degree sequence shows a very low level of clustering, containing much fewer small-size loops than the original network. We then use the clustering coefficient as an object function to be reduced during the edge exchanges, and find it a very efficient way to enhance synchronizability. We thus conclude that under the condition of a given degree heterogeneity, the clustering plays a very important role in the network synchronization. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2007