Reduced synchronizability of dynamical scale-free networks with onion-like topologies

The optimized networks with “onion-like” topologies which have improved robustness to resist malicious attacks have attracted a great deal of research effort. In this paper, we investigate the synchronization behavior of dynamical scale-free onion networks. Large quantities of numerical simulations indicate that solely enhancing the network robustness can lead to the reduction of the ability to achieve synchronization. Furthermore, two important structural properties of “onion-like” topologies, the increase of average path length and the increase of assortative coefficient, are analyzed and considered to be responsible for the decease of synchronizability. The numerical results demonstrate that in system design the balance between maximizing the ability to resist attacks and improving the ability to achieve synchronization should deserve careful consideration. Current results are beneficial for us to deeply understand the dynamical properties and patterns in the complex networked systems.