## Print version ISSN 1806-1117On-line version ISSN 1806-9126

### Rev. Bras. Ensino Fís. vol.40 no.1 São Paulo  2018  Epub July 03, 2017

#### https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-rbef-2017-0178

Articles

Self-similar resistive circuits as fractal-like structures

Circuitos resistivos autosimilares como estruturas tipo fractal

1Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

2Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Fractals play a central role in several areas of modern physics and mathematics. In the present work we explore resistive circuits where the individual resistors are arranged in fractal-like patterns. These circuits have some of the characteristics typically found in geometric fractals, namely self-similarity and scale invariance. Considering resistive circuits as graphs, we propose a definition of self-similar circuits which mimics a self-similar fractal. General properties of the resistive circuits generated by this approach are investigated, and interesting examples are commented in detail. Specifically, we consider self-similar resistive series, tree-like resistive networks and Sierpinski’s configurations with resistors.

Keywords: self-similarity; resistive circuit; fractal

RESUMO

Fractais têm um papel central em várias áreas da física e matemática modernas. No presente trabalho nós exploramos circuitos resistivos onde os resistores individuais estão organizados em padrões tipo fractal. Estes circuitos possuem algumas das características tipicamente encontradas nos fractais geométricos, especificamente a auto-similaridade e a invariância de escala. Considerando os circuitos resistivos como grafos, nós propomos uma definição de circuito auto-similar que se assemelha a de um fractal auto-similar. Propriedades gerais dos circuitos resistivos gerados por esta abordagem são investigados, e exemplos interessantes são comentados em detalhes. Especificamente, nós consideramos séries resistivas auto-similares, redes resistivas tipo árvore e configurações de Sierpinski com resistores.

1. Introduction

Fractality is a relatively recent but powerful concept that permeates much of physics and mathematics. Fractals can be a powerful teaching tool [16], and formal and rigorous investigation of fractal systems are cutting edge mathematics [7]. At the same time, fractals are used in realist modelings of nature. Quoting Benoît Mandelbrot [8], “Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth, nor does lightning travel in a straight line.”

There are several, but not quite equivalent, precise definitions for the modern idea of a fractal [5,8]. Informally, a basic characteristic of this structure is scale invariance, that is, the fractal pattern remains the same with any magnification. This property is denoted as self-similarity. A common way to construct self-similar structures is to define them recursively, using a set of iterated functions [9]. Several popular self-similar geometric figures can be constructed in this way, such as the fractal tree, the Sierpinski triangle and the Cantor set [9].

Networks and circuits that have fractal-like patterns typically have an infinite number of elements. Infinite circuits have extensive physical and mathematical applications [1015]. For instance, physics oriented works involving self-similar resistive circuits include the investigation of resistance properties of Sierpinski triangle fractal networks [1618] and binary tree circuits [19], among several other fractal patterns. More rigorous mathematical aspects of the issue were also developed [17,19].

In the present work, a general definition for self-similar resistive circuits is proposed and explored. Analyzed from the point of view of the Graph Theory, resistor networks are recursively constructed. In our approach, the issue of calculating the equivalence resistance of a self-similar circuit is transformed into a fixed point problem. Interesting particular cases are treated in detail.

The structure of this paper is presented in the following. In section 2 we introduce the notation used in the paper and review the basic results in the theory of resistive circuits, presenting those objects as graphs. In section 3, a general definition for self-similar circuits is proposed and explored. We derive a condition to characterize the calculation of the equivalent resistance of a self-similar circuit as a fixed-point problem. In section 4 we consider one of the simplest self-similar circuits, the self-similar resistive series, a recursive configuration formed by resistors in series. In section 5 we explore self-similar resistive trees, resistive circuits analogous to fractal trees. In section 6 self-similar Sierpinski resistive circuits, generated with resistors arranged in self-similar Sierpinski-like configurations, are discussed. Final comments are presented in section 7.

2. Resistive circuits as graphs

The building blocks of the structures presented in this work are ideal resistors, linked to each other by ideal connectors. Ideal resistive circuits constructed in this way are a simplification of real electric systems. Still, ideal circuits can be a very good approximation of real circuits in many scenarios of interest [20].

An ideal resistor is a two-terminal element characterized by an electric resistance. In the analysis of ideal resistive circuits, the only relevant informations are the individual resistances of each resistor and the pattern of interconnection among them. Other aspects that are important for more realistic characterization of a physical circuits, such as the length and shape of the connectors and the positions of the resistors, are ignored in the idealized description. Another way to express this latter remark is to say that only topological information are used in the definition of an ideal resistive circuit. Geometric aspects are not relevant in the construction of these models. That feature indicates that ideal circuits are naturally represented as graphs.

A simple undirected graph G is composed of a set V=V(G) of vertices and a set E=E(G) of edges. In such graphs, edges are “links” between two vertices. More precisely, the set E of edges are constructed as 2 -element subsets of the set V of vertices. Hence, the graph G is the ordered pair G=(V,E) . We will consider that the graphs used in this work are finite, with V and E finite sets [21]. Also, the graphs of interest here will be connected. That is, for each each pair of vertices in a connected graph, one can find a path from one vertex to the other [21]. Another layer of structure that is needed are weights. A weighted graph is a graph G=(V,E,W) in with a number is associated to each edge by a weight function W [21].

Using the language of Graph Theory, a resistive circuit has a natural description in terms of graphs. A circuit is equivalent to an element of C , where C is the set of simple graphs that are finite and connected, with the number of vertices equal to or greater than 2 , having strictly positive real numbers as weights. We identify the individual resistors in the circuit with the graph edges, and the connection points of the resistors with the graph vertices. The individual resistances of each resistor are codified in the weights. In the present work, we consider ideal resistive circuits as graphs. Fixing terminology, along this manuscript both terms (“circuits” and “graphs”) will be considered as associated to the same objects.

As an additional benefit, graph language gives us a compact way to represent and manipulate resistive circuits. Diagrammatically we will represent a circuit, understood as a graph, by dots and links. When convenient, individual resistances (weighs) will be included in the diagram. This notation is similar to the more usual notation for resistive circuits [20]. As an illustration, in figure 1 we compare the common graphical representations for resistive circuit with the diagrammatics suggested here. But it is not always a matter of substituting conventional resistor symbols by plain lines. For instance, in the usual notation, short circuit connections are allowed. In plain graph notation, sections of a resistor network that are short circuited have the same electric potential, and therefore are collapsed into a single vertex (see bottom right diagrams of figure 1).

An important issue concerning resistive circuits is the calculation of their equivalent resistance. Given a circuit with two highlighted vertices (the external terminals), Thévenin’s and Norton’s theorems imply that this circuit is electrically equivalent to a single resistor [20]. In other words, there exists a function RAB ,

RAB:C×V(C)×V(C)*+RAB=RAB(C), (1)

that associates a circuit C and two different vertices (elements A and B of V(C) with AB ) to elements of *+ , where *+=(0,) denotes the set of strictly positive real numbers. The number RAB(C) is the equivalent resistance of the circuit C , considering A and B as external vertices.

The concept of equivalent resistance implies an equivalence relation on the set of circuits. To fix notation, this relation (of having the same equivalent resistance) is indicated by ~ . Considering C1,C2C , A,BV(C1) and D,FV(C2) , we have that

(C1,A,B)~(C2,D,F)RAB(C1)=RDF(C2). (2)

There are several techniques used in the calculation of equivalent resistances. A practical method involves the use of “transformations” in the graphs, substituting a given subgraph for an equivalent and simpler form. For instance, two elementary transformations are the series and parallel resistor associations [20]. Using the graph notation, we illustrate those transformations in figure 2. A more elaborate substitution is the so-called YΔ transform [20], shown in figure 3. We will extensively apply series, parallel and YΔ transformations in sections 4, 5 and 6.

3. Self-similar resistive circuits in general

To consistently implement the idea of a “fractal-like resistive circuit”, it is not enough to just take a geometric fractal and substitute lines by resistors. In a circuit, only topological characteristics are relevant. The strategy to properly define a circuit with fractal properties must be more elaborate. In the present paper, we will consider self-similarity as our guiding concept. A geometric fractal can be defined as the limit of a recursive sequence, in such a way that its pattern is self-similar [9]. That construction will be adapted here to circuits formed by resistors, and therefore the objects defined will be denominated self-similar resistive circuits.

Following the usual construction for self-similar fractals, the key element in our definition of self-similarity is a recurrence function FAB , which maps a circuit with two external terminals A and B into another circuit with the same external terminals,

FAB:CCFAB=FAB(C), (3)

with A,BV(C) and AB .

Given A , B , FAB and a specified resistive circuit C0 (an “initial circuit”), a sequence of circuits (Ci) ,

(Ci)=C0,C1,C2,, (4)

can be constructed with FAB in a recursive way as

Ci+1=FAB(Ci). (5)

It should be noticed that FAB is not only a function of a circuit, but also of two vertices ( A and B for example), interpreted as external terminals of the given circuit. This is necessary since the equivalent resistance of a circuit depends on the choice of external vertices.

In fact, with the function RAB introduced in equation (1), we associate a strictly positive number Ri to each element of the sequence (Ci) ,

Ri=RAB(Ci), (6)

with Ri*+ . The number Ri is the equivalent resistance of the circuit Ci with external terminals A and B . Related to the sequence of graphs (Ci) , we have a sequence of real numbers (Ri) ,

(Ri)=R0,R1,R2,. (7)

In an ideal resistive circuit, the most simple and important physical observable is the equivalent resistance. Therefore, a necessary condition for the objects treated here to be physically reasonable is that their equivalent resistance should be well-characterized. Hence, we define as a self-similar circuit the sequence (Ci) of resistive circuits whose associated sequence (Ri) of resistances converges to a finite and non-zero equivalent resistance Req ,1

Req=limiRAB(Ci). (8)

As a more technical remark, we specify the usual metric d(x,y)=|xy| to characterize convergence in the sequence (Ri) of positive real numbers. It should be stressed that a self-similar circuit is identified with the whole sequence of graphs (circuits) whose elements are recursively constructed. The essential information that defines a particular circuit is then an initial circuit and a recurrence function.

One way to ensure convergence of the sequence (Ri) is to find a recursive function T for this sequence,

Ri+1=T(Ri). (9)

Following this strategy, the issue is transformed in a fixed point problem [22]. If the function T has a fixed point, the sequence (Ri) converges. Since the set *+ equipped with the usual metric d(x,y) forms a complete metric space [22], Banach fixed-point theorem [22] guarantees the existence and uniqueness of a fixed point Req for T if there exists a constant λ such that

d(T(x),T(y))λd(x,y)with0λ<1, (10)

for all x , y in *+ . A map which satisfies condition (10) is called a contraction [22]. Moreover, if T is a contraction, the equivalent resistance Req is the solution of the fixed-point equation

Req=T(Req). (11)

So we have a method to check if the sequence (Ci) of resistive circuits is a self-similar circuit, in the sense proposed here. The answer is affirmative if we can find a contraction T such that equation (9) is satisfied. In this case, the equivalent resistance of the self-similar resistive circuit is well defined, given by the (unique) solution of equation (11).

The general characterization of self-similar resistive circuits presented here will be explored in specific examples in the next sections. We will introduce and study self-similar resistive series, self-similar resistive trees and Sierpinski resistive circuits.

4. Self-similar resistive series

One of the simplest candidate for a self-similar circuit is a collection of resistors arranged in series. But in a self-similar circuit, the number of resistors grows as each new circuit is generated for the sequence. So, for the equivalence resistance to be finite in a collection of resistors arranged in series, it is not enough to consider an array of resistors with the same resistance. The construction must be more elaborate.

Let us define the multiplication of a weighted graph C by a constant α . Informally, a graph αC is a graph obtained from C , with the same vertices and links, but with the weights multiplied by α . More precisely, with definitions presented in section 2, if C=(V,E,W) , and W:E*+ , the graph αC is defined as αC=(V,E,W) , where W=fW , with f(x)=αx . In terms of resistive circuits, the individual resistances of the new circuit are multiplied by a constant α after the graph multiplication. It follows that to maintain consistency with the interpretation of circuits as graphs, we must assume that α>0 . Diagrammatically, this operation will be represented as shown in figure 4.

We can now define the self-similar resistive series. The two parameters which characterize this configuration are: R0 , the resistance of the initial circuit C0 , and a positive real number α . As we will see in the following, α must be non-null and smaller than 1 , and can be interpreted as an “attenuation parameter”. For α close to 1 , we have a small attenuation. For α close to 0 , the attenuation is significant.

We start with the first element C0 of the sequence, presented in figure 5 (left). The sequence (Ci) which defines the self-similar resistive series is given by the recurrence relation presented in figure 5 (right). For example, the second and third elements of the sequence (Ci) associated to the self-similar resistive series are shown in figure 6.

A few words are in order concerning the self-similar resistive series. The first point is that, although this configuration cannot be readily associated to a geometric fractal, it is consistent with the general definition presented in section 3, and therefore is a self-similar structure. Also, it is one of the simplest self-similar resistive network, illustrating the main characteristics of the general definition with minimum technical difficulties.

We now focus on the calculation of the equivalent resistance. The first element of the self-similar sequence is given in figure 5, so

R0=r0. (12)

Applying R to the recurrence relation presented in figure 5, resistance Ri+1 is obtained from Ri . Following the development presented diagrammatically in figure 7, and using the series transformation presented in figure 2, we obtain

Ri+1=r0+αRi. (13)

From equation (13), it follows that the recurrence function T for the sequence (Ri) is

T(x)=R0+αx. (14)

It is straightforward to determine conditions for the sequence (Ci) to represent a self-similar resistive circuit. From equation (14),

d(T(x),T(y))=T(x)T(y)=R0+αx(R0+αy)=αxy=αd(x,y). (15)

As discussed in section 3, the sequence (Ri) is convergent if 0α<1 . Therefore, the recurrence relation defined in figure 5 produces a self-similar circuit if the attenuation parameter is in the range 0<α<1 .

The equivalent resistance of the self-similar resistive series can now be obtained. Considering the fixed point equation (11) for 0<α<1 , we have

Req=R0+αReq. (16)

The equivalent resistance is then given by

Req=R01αwith0<α<1. (17)

We see that Req becomes arbitrarily large with α close to 1 , the limit where the resistor array becomes an infinite series of resistors with the same resistance. On the other hand, if the attenuation is large (that is, if α is small), the equivalent resistance of the self-similar circuit is close to the resistance of a single resistor.

5. Self-similar resistive trees

In this section we consider more complex structures, analogous to fractal trees. More specifically, we will define circuits that, when one of the external vertex (with its associated edges) is removed, the resulting graph is a tree. In the terminology of Graph Theory, a tree is a connected graph with no cycles [21]. Hence, a two terminal resistive tree is a circuit represented by a graph that have no internal cycles but the ones removed with the elimination of an external vertex. The physical motivation for the introduction of the extra vertex and edges in the self-similar resistive tree is to ensure that the electric potential of the “tree branches” are the same. In the process, we transform a tree configuration into a two-terminal circuit, which can be treated with the general formalism introduced in section 3.2

For the present development, another operation with graphs is needed: the elementary contraction [21]. A contraction of a graph G is obtained by identifying two vertices U and V that are connected by an edge. This contraction operation on graphs should not be confused with contraction in the context of metric spaces, discussed in section 3.

Diagrammatically, we will denote a contraction by a dashed line. We illustrate this operation in figure 8. Physically, a contraction in a resistive circuit means that a resistor is substituted by a ideal connector. As we have seen in section 2, the connector short-circuits two points of the circuit, which makes the two vertices in the associated graph to “collapse” into a single one.

The parameters which characterize self-similar trees are the resistance r0 of each resistor in the network, and the number of branches m of the tree. We will require that m>1 . Starting from a single resistor, circuit C0 in figure 5 (left), the construction of the self-similar tree is done following the recurrence rule indicated in figure 9. As an illustration, we show the second and third elements of a resistive self-similar tree with two branches, a “binary tree”, in figure 10.

Since the first element of the self-similar sequence is given in figure 5 (left), we have

R0=r0. (18)

Applying series and parallel association (see figure 2) with the recurrence relation in figure 9, recurrence formula for the sequence (Ri) is obtained,

Ri+1=r0+Rim. (19)

The recurrence function associated to equation (19) is

T(x)=r0+xm, (20)

and for x,y*+ we have

d(T(x),T(y))=|T(x)T(y)|=r0+xm(r0+ym)=|xy|m=d(x,y)m. (21)

Since the number of branches m is greater than 1 , equation (21) shows that in the present case T is always a contraction. Hence, the sequence (Ri) converges to some Req and the sequence (Ci) is associated to a well-defined self-similar resistive circuit.

The equivalent resistance Req is the solution of the fixed point equation (11),

Req=r0+Reqm. (22)

Therefore, for the self-similar resistive tree with m branches, we have

Req=mm1r0withm=2,3,. (23)

We see that the largest equivalent resistance is obtained with two branches ( m=2 ). The more m grows, the closer Req is to the initial resistance r0 .

6. Sierpinski resistive circuits

A more complex class of circuits to be treated is inspired in the Sierpinski triangle [9,1618], a fractal also called Sierpinski gasket or Sierpinski sieve. For the definition of the Sierpinski self-similar resistive configuration, we take the initial circuit C0 and the recurrence function presented in figure 11. There are two parameters, r0 and α , for the Sierpinski circuit. To illustrate the configuration, we show the second and third elements of the Sierpinski sequence in figure 12.

Because of the relative complexity of the circuits involved, the determination of the recurrence function T is not so straightforward as in the previous examples. Simple series and parallel association formulas are not enough. In the present case, the YΔ transform, presented in figure 3, will be extensively used.

The first result we comment is the equivalent resistance of a Δ -type circuit, considering as external points two vertices of the triangle. The sequence of equivalent resistances used in the calculation is shown in figure 13. The result is

Ri=23ri. (24)

Equation (24) can be immediately applied to C0 , the initial circuit of the Sierpinski sequence (Ci) , and therefore R0=2r03 .

Another relevant result for the present development is displayed in figure 14. Using the YΔ transformation and the formula for association in series of resistors, we see that a composition of three Δ -type circuits have the same equivalent resistance of a single Δ -type circuit. The relation of the parameters rf and ra , rb , according to the calculations presented in figure 14, is

rf=53ra+rb. (25)

Let us consider the form of recurrence relation for the Sierpinski sequence (Ci) . We see that since we are starting from C0 , which is Δ -shaped, the next circuit C1 will be a combination of Δ -type circuits in the arrange indicated by the first diagram in figure 14. The next circuit C2 will not be a combination of Δ -type circuits, but it will have an equivalent resistance of a combination of Δ -type circuits. Notice now that the individual resistances of the Δ -shaped subcircuits and the resistors linking them will be different in this case. Still, relation (25) can be applied. The same reasoning goes on for {C3,C4,} .

The development presented in the previous paragraph is translated diagrammatically in figure 15. Since the circuit Ci has the same equivalent resistance of a Δ -type circuit with resistors ri , the circuit Ci+1 is equivalent to a Δ -type circuit with resistors ri+1 , where

ri+1=53αri+r0. (26)

Also, using equation (24), we obtain the recurrence relation for the sequence (Ri) of equivalent resistances,

Ri+1=53αRi+23r0. (27)

From equation (27) the recurrence function T is immediately read:

T(x)=5α3x+23r0. (28)

We can now determine if the sequence (Ri) is convergent. From equation (28) and considering x,y*+ , we have

d(T(x),T(y))=|T(x)T(y)|=5α3y+23r05α3x+23r0=5α3|yx|=5α3d(y,x). (29)

Therefore, the sequence (Ri) is convergent if the attenuation parameter α is such that 0<α<35 . In that case, the Sierpinski recurrence relation in figure 11 produces a well-defined self-similar circuit.

Assuming that 0<α<35 , it is possible to define and calculate an equivalent resistance for the self-similar Sierpinski circuit. Considering the fixed-point equation for Req ,

Req=5α3Req+23r0, (30)

we obtain the equivalent resistance,

Req=2r035αwith0<α<35. (31)

In the Sierpinski resistive circuit, Req can be arbitrarily large, growing from 2r03 to infinity as the parameter α varies from 0 to 35 .

Resistor networks in self-similar patterns, analogous to geometric fractals, were considered in the present work. A main point to be stressed is that, since ideal resistive circuits are topological objects, geometric information should not be used in the construction of the configurations. To implement this idea, a precise definition for a self-similar resistive circuit was introduced. This definition captures essential characteristics presented in geometrical fractals, maintaining at the same time the topological nature of the circuits.

In the definition of self-similar circuits discussed in the present work (but not universally adopted), the basic criterion is that the equivalent resistance of the self-similar network should be finite. This extra requirement is physically motivated. Since the equivalent resistance of an ideal resistive circuit is the most simple and important observable, it should be well-defined. Following this observation, we introduced a sufficient condition for the sequence to be a self-similar resistive circuit. That condition was the existence of a contraction for the sequence of associated resistances of each element in the sequence of circuits. If the criterion is satisfied, then the problem of calculating the equivalent resistance becomes a fixed point problem.

The approach presented in this work was illustrated in the construction of three classes of self-similar resistive circuits, discussed in detail. The first configuration, the self-similar series of resistors, is a simple and pedagogical case, where the formalism can be developed with minimum technical difficulty. Tree-shaped configurations and circuits based on the Sierpinski triangle were considered next. Those more elaborate networks have some of the general characteristics presented by geometric fractals and, at the same time, they illustrate some of their important properties.

In this manuscript, our main goal was to introduce an interesting and non-trivial problem which could be used in Physics and Mathematics teaching. Nevertheless, applications in materials science and engineering are expected. To cite just a few possible scenarios, electrical properties of percolation clusters in random media and disordered systems can be studied considering fractal networks [23]. Sierpinski gasket can be used to model two dimensional superconductor materials [24]. The electric response of inhomogeneous materials can be investigated with fractal-like models [25]. Alternative antenna designs modeled by self-similar structures were considered [26].

Finally, the particular examples explored in this work can be generalized. For instance, it is straightforward to introduce an attenuation factor in the definition of the tree circuit. In addition, the Sierpinski triangle circuit can be modified to a pattern similar to Sierpinski carpet [4,9]. Self-similar circuits constructed from the general definition presented here can have interesting patterns and potentially important applications.

1It should be mentioned that this condition is not universally adopted in the definition of a self-similar resistive circuit.

2A visual picture of the proposed configuration would be an actual tree trunk conducting electricity up to the thinner branches and then to the atmosphere. We would have effectively a two-terminal circuit, with one terminal being the base of the trunk (connected to the earth), and the other all of the branches (electrically attached to the atmosphere).

Acknowledgments

C. X. M. S. acknowledges the support of CAPES, Brazil. C. M. M. acknowledges the support of FAPESP (grant No. 2015/24380-2) and CNPq (grant No. 307709/2015-9), Brazil.

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Received: June 02, 2017; Accepted: June 07, 2017

*Endereço de correspondência: claudioxm@gmail.com.

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