Diffusion Variational Autoencoders

A standard Variational Autoencoder, with a Euclidean latent space, is structurally incapable of capturing topological properties of certain datasets. To remove topological obstructions, we introduce Diffusion Variational Autoencoders with arbitrary manifolds as a latent space. A Diffusion Variational Autoencoder uses transition kernels of Brownian motion on the manifold. In particular, it uses properties of the Brownian motion to implement the reparametrization trick and fast approximations to the KL divergence. We show that the Diffusion Variational Autoencoder is capable of capturing topological properties of synthetic datasets. Additionally, we train MNIST on spheres, tori, projective spaces, SO(3), and a torus embedded in R3. Although a natural dataset like MNIST does not have latent variables with a clear-cut topological structure, training it on a manifold can still highlight topological and geometrical properties.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures Added an appendix with derivation of asymptotic expansion of KL divergence for heat kernel on arbitrary Riemannian manifolds, and an appendix with new experiments on binarized MNIST. Added a previously missing factor in the asymptotic expansion of the heat kernel and corrected a coefficient in asymptotic expansion KL divergence; further minor edit

The Entropy of Lagrange-Finsler Spaces and Ricci Flows

We formulate a statistical analogy of regular Lagrange mechanics and Finsler geometry derived from Grisha Perelman's functionals generalized for nonholonomic Ricci flows. There are elaborated explicit constructions when nonholonomically constrained flows of Riemann metrics result in Finsler like configurations, and inversely, and geometric mechanics is modelled on Riemann spaces with preferred nonholonomic frame structure.Comment: latex2e, 20 pages, v3, the variant accepted to Rep. Math. Phy

On Relativistic Generalization of Perelman's W-entropy and Statistical Thermodynamic Description of Gravitational Fields

Using double 2+2 and 3+1 nonholonomic fibrations on Lorentz manifolds, we extend the concept of W-entropy for gravitational fields in the general relativity, GR, theory. Such F- and W-functionals were introduced in the Ricci flow theory of three dimensional, 3-d, Riemannian metrics by G. Perelman, arXiv: math.DG/0211159. Nonrelativistic 3-d Ricci flows are characterized by associated statistical thermodynamical values determined by W--entropy. Generalizations for geometric flows of 4-d pseudo-Riemannian metrics are considered for models with local thermodynamical equilibrium and separation of dissipative and non-dissipative processes in relativistic hydrodynamics. The approach is elaborated in the framework of classical filed theories (relativistic continuum and hydrodynamic models) without an underlying kinetic description which will be elaborated in other works. The 3+1 splitting allows us to provide a general relativistic definition of gravitational entropy in the Lyapunov-Perelman sense. It increases monotonically as structure forms in the Universe. We can formulate a thermodynamic description of exact solutions in GR depending, in general, on all spacetime coordinates. A corresponding 2+2 splitting with nonholonomic deformation of linear connection and frame structures is necessary for generating in very general form various classes of exact solutions of the Einstein and general relativistic geometric flow equations. Finally, we speculate on physical macrostates and microstate interpretations of the W-entropy in GR, geometric flow theories and possible connections to string theory (a second unsolved problem also contained in Perelman's works) in the Polyakov's approach.Comment: latex2e, v4 is an accepted to EPJC substantial extension of a former letter type paper on 10 pages to a research article on 41 pages; a new author added, the paper's title and permanent and visiting affiliations were correspondingly modified; and new results, conclusions and references are provide