Apollonian networks

Hans J. Herrmann

ICA1, University of Stuttgart Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

We introduce a new family of networks, the Apollonian networks, that are simultaneously scale-free, small world, Euclidean, space-filling and matching graphs. These networks have a wide range of applications ranging from the description of force chains in polydisperse granular packings and geometry of fully fragmented porous media, to hierarchical road systems and area-covering electrical supply networks. Some of the properties of these networks, namely, the connectivity exponent, the clustering coefficient, and the shortest path are calculated and found to be particularly rich. The percolation, the electrical conduction and the Ising models on such networks are also studied and found to be quite peculiar. Consequences for applications are also discussed.