Random Walks on Complex Networks

Abstract

We investigate random walks on complex networks and derive an exact expression for the mean first-passage time (MFPT) between two nodes. We introduce for each node the random walk centrality $C$, which is the ratio between its coordination number and a characteristic relaxation time, and show that it determines essentially the MFPT. The centrality of a node determines the relative speed by which a node can receive and spread information over the network in a random process. Numerical simulations of an ensemble of random walkers moving on paradigmatic network models confirm this analytical prediction.