We introduce a formalism of fractional diffusion on networks based on a fractional Laplacian matrix that can be constructed directly from the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Laplacian matrix. This fractional approach allows random walks with long-range dynamics providing a general framework for anomalous diffusion and navigation, and inducing dynamically the small-world property on any network. We obtained exact results for the stationary probability distribution, the average fractional return probability, and a global time, showing that the efficiency to navigate the network is greater if we use a fractional random walk in comparison to a normal random walk. For the case of a ring, we obtain exact analytical results showing that the fractional transition and return probabilities follow a long-range power-law decay, leading to the emergence of Lévy flights on networks. Our general fractional diffusion formalism applies to regular, random, and complex networks and can be implemented from the spectral properties of the Laplacian matrix, providing an important tool to analyze anomalous diffusion on networks.

We introduce a strategy of navigation in undirected networks, including regular, random, and complex networks, that is inspired by Lévy random walks, generalizing previous navigation rules. We obtained exact expressions for the stationary probability distribution, the occupation probability, the mean first passage time, and the average time to reach a node on the network. We found that the long-range navigation using the Lévy random walk strategy, compared with the normal random walk strategy, is more efficient at reducing the time to cover the network. The dynamical effect of using the Lévy walk strategy is to transform a large-world network into a small world. Our exact results provide a general framework that connects two important fields: Lévy navigation strategies and dynamics on complex networks.

No abstract

In this paper, we study fractional random walks on networks defined from the equivalent of the fractional diffusion equation in graphs. We explore this process analytically in circulant networks; in particular, interacting cycles and limit cases such as a ring and a complete graph. From the spectra and the eigenvectors of the Laplacian matrix, we deduce explicit results for different quantities that characterize this dynamical process. We obtain analytical expressions for the fractional transition matrix, the fractional degrees and the average probability of return of the random walker. Also, we discuss the Kemeny constant, which gives the average number of steps necessary to reach any site of the network. Throughout this work, we analyze the mechanisms behind fractional transport on circulant networks and how this long-range process dynamically induces the small-world property in different structures.

No abstract