Graphon mean field systems

Abstract: We consider heterogeneously interacting diffusive particle systems and their large population limit. The interaction is of mean field type with weights characterized by an underlying graphon. A law of large numbers result is established as the system size increases and the underlying graphons converge. The limit is given by a graphon mean field system consisting of independent but heterogeneous nonlinear diffusions whose probability distributions are fully coupled. Well-posedness, continuity and stability of such systems are provided. We also consider a not-so-dense analogue of the finite particle system, obtained by percolation with vanishing rates and suitable scaling of interactions. A law of large numbers result is proved for the convergence of such systems to the corresponding graphon mean field system.