Enhancing the robustness of a multiplex network leads to multiple discontinuous percolation transitions.

Abstract

Determining design principles that boost the robustness of interdependent networks is a fundamental question of engineering, economics, and biology. It is known that maximizing the degree correlation between replicas of the same node leads to optimal robustness. Here we show that increased robustness might also come at the expense of introducing multiple phase transitions. These results reveal yet another possible source of fragility of multiplex networks that has to be taken into the account during network optimization and design.