Depth first exploration of a configuration model

Abstract

We introduce an algorithm that constructs a random graph with prescribed degree sequence together with a depth first exploration of it. In the so-called supercritical regime where the graph contains a giant component, we prove that the renormalized contour process of the Depth First Search Tree has a deterministic limiting profile that we identify. The proof goes through a detailed analysis of the evolution of the empirical degree distribution of unexplored vertices. This evolution is driven by an infinite system of differential equations which has a unique and explicit solution. As a byproduct, we deduce the existence of a macroscopic simple path and get a lower bound on its length.