Symmetry-based structure entropy of complex networks

Precisely quantifying the heterogeneity or disorder of network systems is important and desired in studies of behaviors and functions of network systems. Although various degree-based entropies have been available to measure the heterogeneity of real networks, heterogeneity implicated in the structures of networks can not be precisely quantified yet. Hence, we propose a new structure entropy based on automorphism partition. Analysis of extreme cases shows that entropy based on automorphism partition can quantify the structural heterogeneity of networks more precisely than degree-based entropies. We also summarized symmetry and heterogeneity statistics of many real networks, finding that real networks are more heterogeneous in the view of automorphism partition than what have been depicted under the measurement of degree-based entropies; and that structural heterogeneity is strongly negatively correlated to symmetry of real networks. (c)) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.