Condensation in zero-range processes on inhomogeneous networks

B. Waclaw, L. Bogacz, Z. Burda, W. Janke

Published 2007-03-09Version 1

We investigate the role of inhomogeneities in zero-range processes in condensation dynamics.We consider the dynamics of balls hopping between nodes of a network, and find that the condensation is triggered by the ratio k_1/k of the highest degree k_1 to the average degree k. Although the condensate takes on the average an extensive number of balls, its occupation can oscillate in a wide range. We show that in systems with strong inhomogeneity, the typical melting time of the condensate grows exponentially with the number of balls.