1. Goldilocks fluctuations: dynamic constraints on loop formation in scale-free transport networks
- Author
-
Waszkiewicz, Radost, Shaw, John Burnham, Lisicki, Maciej, and Szymczak, Piotr
- Subjects
Condensed Matter - Disordered Systems and Neural Networks ,Physics - Biological Physics - Abstract
Adaptive transport networks are known to contain loops when subject to hydrodynamic fluctuations. However, fluctuations are no guarantee that a loop will form, as shown by loop-free networks driven by oscillating flows. We provide a complete stability analysis of the dynamical behaviour of any loop formed by fluctuating flows. We find a threshold for loop stability that involves an interplay of geometric constraints and hydrodynamic forcing mapped to constant and fluctuating components. Loops require fluctuation in the relative size of the flux between nodes, not just a temporal variation in the flux at a given node. Hence, there is both a minimum and a maximum amount of fluctuation relative to the constant-flux component where loops are supported.
- Published
- 2023