Giant components in three-parameter random directed graphs

Abstract

A three-parameter model of a random directed graph (digraph) is specified by the probability of ‘up arrows' from vertexito vertexjwherei < j, the probability of ‘down arrows' fromitojwherei ≥ j,and the probability of bidirectional arrows betweeniandj.In this model, a phase transition—the abrupt appearance of a giant strongly connected component—takes place as the parameters cross a critical surface. The critical surface is determined explicitly. Before the giant component appears, almost surely all non-trivial components are small cycles. The asymptotic probability that the digraph contains no cycles of length 3 or more is computed explicitly. This model and its analysis are motivated by the theory of food webs in ecology.