Simple model of fractal networks formed by self-organized critical dynamics

In this paper, a simple dynamical model in which fractal networks are formed by self-organized critical (SOC) dynamics is proposed; the proposed model consists of growth and collapse processes. It has been shown that SOC dynamics are realized by the combined processes in the model. Thus, the distributions of the cluster size and collapse size follow a power-law function in the stationary state. Moreover, through SOC dynamics, the networks become fractal in nature. The criticality of SOC dynamics is the same as the universality class of mean-field theory. The model explains the possibility that the fractal nature in complex networks emerges by SOC dynamics in a manner similar to the case with fractal objects embedded in a Euclidean space.