%0 Journal Article %T Application of varentropy as a measure of probabilistic uncertainty for complex networks %A Jian Jiang %A Ru Wang %A Michel Pezeril %A Qiuping Alexandre Wang %J Chinese Science Bulletin %@ 1861-9541 %D 2011 %I %R 10.1007/s11434-011-4697-3 %X Varentropy is used as a general measure of probabilistic uncertainty for a complex network, inspired by the first and second laws of thermodynamics, but not limited to the equilibrium system. By exploring the relationship between the varentropy of the scale free distribution and the exponent of power laws as well as network size, we get the optimal design of a scale-free network against random failures. The behaviors of varentropy and the Shannon entropy of double Pareto law degree distribution are analyzed to compare their usefulness. Our conclusion is that varentropy is suitable and reliable. %K varentropy %K optimization %K double Pareto law distribution %K equilibrium network ensemble %U http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11434-011-4697-3