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Main Authors: Wu, Xinyu, Liu, Xizhi, Zhang, Chenyao, Chen, Tianping, Lu, Wenlian
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.11728
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author Wu, Xinyu
Liu, Xizhi
Zhang, Chenyao
Chen, Tianping
Lu, Wenlian
author_facet Wu, Xinyu
Liu, Xizhi
Zhang, Chenyao
Chen, Tianping
Lu, Wenlian
contents Synchronization in dynamical systems on directed weighted networks is often associated with stronger coupling and denser interactions. This paper shows that the opposite can also occur: weakening selected edges may increase the generalized algebraic connectivity, denoted by $κ$, and in some nonlinear systems this spectral improvement is accompanied by a transition from nonsynchronization to synchronization. To explain this effect, we develop a perturbation-based spectral sensitivity framework for directed weighted networks. We derive an explicit first-order formula for the response of $κ$ to edge-weight perturbations and show that it decomposes into a directed cut-energy term and a stationary redistribution term. This decomposition clarifies how asymmetric flow structure and invariant-mass redistribution jointly determine the synchronization role of each edge. Based on this theory, we design sensitivity-guided algorithms for edge weakening, edge deletion, negative-edge insertion, and edge strengthening. Experiments on synthetic and real networks show that these methods identify critical edges whose modification yields substantial gains in $κ$. Simulations of first- and second-order nonlinear consensus dynamics further show markedly faster convergence and, in some cases, a transition from incoherence to synchronization. The results provide a local spectral mechanism by which reducing or reallocating coupling can enhance synchronization-related performance.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_11728
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Spectral Sensitivity of Directed Weighted Networks: Why Weakening Edges May Trigger Synchronization
Wu, Xinyu
Liu, Xizhi
Zhang, Chenyao
Chen, Tianping
Lu, Wenlian
Dynamical Systems
Synchronization in dynamical systems on directed weighted networks is often associated with stronger coupling and denser interactions. This paper shows that the opposite can also occur: weakening selected edges may increase the generalized algebraic connectivity, denoted by $κ$, and in some nonlinear systems this spectral improvement is accompanied by a transition from nonsynchronization to synchronization. To explain this effect, we develop a perturbation-based spectral sensitivity framework for directed weighted networks. We derive an explicit first-order formula for the response of $κ$ to edge-weight perturbations and show that it decomposes into a directed cut-energy term and a stationary redistribution term. This decomposition clarifies how asymmetric flow structure and invariant-mass redistribution jointly determine the synchronization role of each edge. Based on this theory, we design sensitivity-guided algorithms for edge weakening, edge deletion, negative-edge insertion, and edge strengthening. Experiments on synthetic and real networks show that these methods identify critical edges whose modification yields substantial gains in $κ$. Simulations of first- and second-order nonlinear consensus dynamics further show markedly faster convergence and, in some cases, a transition from incoherence to synchronization. The results provide a local spectral mechanism by which reducing or reallocating coupling can enhance synchronization-related performance.
title Spectral Sensitivity of Directed Weighted Networks: Why Weakening Edges May Trigger Synchronization
topic Dynamical Systems
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.11728