# Enhancing the robustness of a multiplex network leads to multiple discontinuous percolation transitions

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how enhancing the robustness of multiplex networks can lead to multiple discontinuous percolation transitions, highlighting a trade-off between robustness and fragility in network design.

## Contribution

It reveals that increasing robustness through degree correlation can induce multiple phase transitions, adding complexity to network optimization strategies.

## Key findings

- Enhanced robustness can cause multiple discontinuous percolation transitions.
- Degree correlation optimization may introduce fragility in multiplex networks.
- Multiple phase transitions impact network resilience and design considerations.

## Abstract

Determining design principles that boost robustness of interdependent networks is a fundamental question of engineering, economics, and biology. It is known that maximizing the degree correlation between replicas of the same node leads to optimal robustness. Here we show that increased robustness might also come at the expense of introducing multiple phase transitions. These results reveal yet another possible source of fragility of multiplex networks that has to be taken into the account during network optimisation and design.