Inhibition induced explosive synchronization in multiplex networks

To date, explosive synchronization (ES) is shown to be originated from either degree-frequency correlation or inertia of phase oscillators. Of late, it has been shown that ES can be induced in a network by adaptively controlled phase oscillators. Here we show that ES is a generic phenomenon and can occur in any network by appropriately multiplexing it with another layer. We devise an approach which leads to the occurrence of ES with hysteresis loop in a network upon its multiplexing with a negatively coupled (or inhibitory) layer. We discuss the impact of various structural properties of positively coupled (or excitatory) and inhibitory layer along with the strength of multiplexing in gaining control over the induced ES transition. This investigation is a step forward in highlighting the importance of multiplex framework not only in bringing novel phenomena which are not possible in an isolated network but also in providing more structural control over the induced phenomena.