Funnelling effect in networks

Abstract

Funnelling effect, in the context of searching on networks, precisely indicates that the search takes place through a few specific nodes. We define the funnelling capacity $f$ of a node as the fraction of successful dynamic paths through it with a fixed target. The distribution $D(f)$ of the fraction of nodes with funnelling capacity $f$ shows a power law behaviour in random networks (with power law or stretched exponential degree distribution) for a considerable range of values of the parameters defining the networks. Specifically we study in detail $D_1=D(f=1)$, which is the quantity signifying the presence of nodes through which all the dynamical paths pass through. In scale free networks with degree distribution $P(k) \propto k^{-γ}$, $D_1$ increases linearly with $γ$ initially and then attains a constant value. It shows a power law behaviour, $D_1 \propto N^{-ρ}$, with the number of nodes $N$ where $ρ$ is weakly dependent on $γ$ for $γ> 2.2$. The latter variation is also independent of the number of searches. On stretched exponential networks with $P(k) \propto \exp{(-k^δ)}$, $ρ$ is strongly dependent on $δ$. The funnelling distribution for a model social network, where the question of funnelling is most relevant, is also investigated.