Algebraic geometry for tensor networks, matrix multiplication, and flag matroids

This thesis is divided into two parts, each part exploring a different topic within the general area of nonlinear algebra. In the first part, we study several applications of tensors. First, we study tensor networks, and more specifically: uniform matrix product states. We use methods from nonlinear algebra and algebraic geometry to answer questions about topology, defining equations, and identifiability of uniform matrix product states. By an interplay of theorems from algebra, geometry, and quantum physics we answer several questions and conjectures posed by Critch, Morton and Hackbusch. In addition, we prove a tensor version of the so-called quantum Wielandt inequality, solving an open problem regarding the higher-dimensional version of matrix product states. Second, we present new contributions to the study of fast matrix multiplication. Motivated by the symmetric version of matrix multiplication we study the plethysm S^k(sl_n) of the adjoint representation sl_n of the Lie group SL_n . Moreover, we discuss two algebraic approaches for constructing new tensors which could potentially be used to prove new upper bounds on the complexity of matrix multiplication. One approach is based on the highest weight vectors of the aforementioned plethysm. The other approach uses smoothable finite-dimensional algebras. Finally, we study the Hessian discriminant of a cubic surface, a recently introduced invariant defined in terms of the Waring rank. We express the Hessian discriminant in terms of fundamental invariants. This answers Question 15 of the 27 questions on the cubic surface posed by Bernd Sturmfels. In the second part of this thesis, we apply algebro-geometric methods to study matroids and flag matroids. We review a geometric interpretation of the Tutte polynomial in terms of the equivariant K-theory of the Grassmannian. By generalizing Grassmannians to partial flag varieties, we obtain a new invariant of flag matroids: the flag-geometric Tutte polynomial. We study this invariant in detail, and prove several interesting combinatorial properties

Reconstruction of Orthogonal Polyhedra

In this thesis I study reconstruction of orthogonal polyhedral surfaces and orthogonal polyhedra from partial information about their boundaries. There are three main questions for which I provide novel results. The first question is "Given the dual graph, facial angles and edge lengths of an orthogonal polyhedral surface or polyhedron, is it possible to reconstruct the dihedral angles?" The second question is "Given the dual graph, dihedral angles and edge lengths of an orthogonal polyhedral surface or polyhedron, is it possible to reconstruct the facial angles?" The third question is "Given the vertex coordinates of an orthogonal polyhedral surface or polyhedron, is it possible to reconstruct the edges and faces, possibly after rotating?" For the first two questions, I show that the answer is "yes" for genus-0 orthogonal polyhedra and polyhedral surfaces under some restrictions, and provide linear time algorithms. For the third question, I provide results and algorithms for orthogonally convex polyhedra. Many related problems are studied as well