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Abstract

In this paper, the existence (invariance) and stability (locally and globally) of relay interlayer synchronisation (RIS) are investigated in a chain of multiplex networks. The local dynamics of the nodes in the symmetric positions layers on both sides of the non-identical middlemost layer(s) are identical. The local and global stability conditions for this synchronisation state are analytically derived based on the master stability function approach and by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, respectively. We propose an appropriate demultiplexing process for the existence of the RIS state. Then the variational equation transverse to the RIS manifold for demultiplexed networks is derived. In numerical simulations, the impact of interlayer and intralayer coupling strengths, variations of the system parameter in the relay layers and demultiplexing on the emergence of RIS in triplex and pentaplex networks are explored. Interestingly, in this multiplex network, enhancement of RIS is observed when a type of impurity via parameter mismatch in the local dynamics of the nodes is introduced in the middlemost layer. A common time-lag with small amplitude shift between the symmetric positions and central layers plays an important role for the enhancing of relay interlayer synchrony. This analysis improves our understanding of synchronisation states in multiplex networks with nonidentical layers.