Uncorrelated random networks

Abstract

We define a statistical ensemble of nondegenerate graphs, i.e., graphs without multiple-connections and self-connections between nodes. The node degree distribution is arbitrary, but the nodes are assumed to be uncorrelated. This completes our earlier publication [Phys. Rev. 64, 046118 (2001)] where trees and degenerate graphs were considered. An efficient algorithm generating nondegenerate graphs is constructed. The corresponding computer code is available on request. Finite-size effects in scale-free graphs, i.e., those where the tail of the degree distribution falls like n(-beta), are carefully studied. We find that in the absence of dynamical internode correlations the degree distribution is cut at a degree value scaling like N(gamma), with gamma=min[1/2,1/(beta-1)], where N is the total number of nodes. The consequence is that, independently of any specific model, the internode correlations seem to be a necessary ingredient of the physics of scale-free networks observed in nature.