Event announcement as pdf-Download (https://tu-dresden.de/mn/phys ik/ressourcen/dateien/physikalisches-kolloquium/2026-01-20-Phys_Kolloq-Hav lin-WiSe2025.pdf).
Abstract: Phase transitions (P Ts) are fundamental phenomena in statistical physics and condensed matter\ , manifesting as abrupt or continuous changes in system properties. I will show that the theory of interdependent networks can identify the microsco pic mechanisms behind abrupt first-order nucleation and mixed-order phase transitions. Interdependent networks appear in all aspects of nature and t echnology. Examples include the physiological systems in our body and infr astructures. A theoretical framework for percolation theory of interdepend ent networks will be presented. In interdependent networks\, such as infra structures\, when nodes in one network fail\, they cause dependent nodes i n other networks to also fail. This may happen recursively and can lead to a cascade of failures and to a sudden fragmentation of the system. This c ontrasts with a single network where the percolation transition due to fai lures is continuous. I will present analytical solutions based on the perc olation theory\, for the functional network and cascading failures\, for a network of n interdependent networks. Our analytical results show that th e percolation theory of a single network studied for over 90 years is just a limited case\, n=1\, of the general and significantly richer case of n& gt\;1. I will also show that interdependent networks embedded in space are extremely vulnerable and have significantly richer behavior compared to n on- embedded networks. I will finally show that the abstract interdependen t percolation theory and its novel behavior in networks of networks can be realized and proven in controlled experiments performed by Aviad Frydman on interdependent superconducting networks as well in coupled laser system s in the lab of Patrick Sebbah.
Short bio: Prof. Shlomo Havlin has made fundamental contributions to the physics of complex systems and statistical physics. These discoveries have impacted many oth er fields such as medicine\, biology\, geophysics\, and more. Havlin recei ved the Bakhuis Roosenboom Medal of the Royal Society of Netherlands (2023 )\, the Israel prize in Physics (2018)\, Order of the Star of Italy\, Pres ident of Italy (2017)\, the Lilienfeld\, APS\, USA (2010)\, and many other s. Havlin has been a pioneer in the development of network science. His ma in interest in the last 15 years focus on interdependent networks\, cascad ing failures\, abrupt transitions\, networks of networks and their implica tions to real world problems including the experimentally discovery of int erdependent superconducting networks and laser systems.