Block diagonalization for algebra's associated with block codes

For a matrix *-algebra B, consider the matrix *-algebra A consisting of the symmetric tensors in the n-fold tensor product of B. Examples of such algebras in coding theory include the Bose-Mesner algebra and Terwilliger algebra of the (non)binary Hamming cube, and algebras arising in SDP-hierarchies for coding bounds using moment matrices. We give a computationally efficient block diagonalization of A in terms of a given block diagonalization of B, and work out some examples, including the Terwilliger algebra of the binary- and nonbinary Hamming cube. As a tool we use some basic facts about representations of the symmetric group.Comment: 16 page

A note on the stability number of an orthogonality graph

We consider the orthogonality graph Omega(n) with 2^n vertices corresponding to the 0-1 n-vectors, two vertices adjacent if and only if the Hamming distance between them is n/2. We show that the stability number of Omega(16) is alpha(Omega(16))= 2304, thus proving a conjecture by Galliard. The main tool we employ is a recent semidefinite programming relaxation for minimal distance binary codes due to Schrijver. As well, we give a general condition for Delsarte bound on the (co)cliques in graphs of relations of association schemes to coincide with the ratio bound, and use it to show that for Omega(n) the latter two bounds are equal to 2^n/n.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 1 figure, companion Matlab code. Misc. misprints fixed and references update

New upper bounds for nonbinary codes based on the Terwilliger algebra and semidefinite programming

We give a new upper bound on the maximum size $A_q(n,d)$ of a code of word length $n$ and minimum Hamming distance at least $d$ over the alphabet of $q\geq 3$ letters. By block-diagonalizing the Terwilliger algebra of the nonbinary Hamming scheme, the bound can be calculated in time polynomial in $n$ using semidefinite programming. For $q=3,4,5$ this gives several improved upper bounds for concrete values of $n$ and $d$. This work builds upon previous results of A. Schrijver [IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory 51 (2005), no. 8, 2859--2866] on the Terwilliger algebra of the binary Hamming schem

Entanglement of Free Fermions on Johnson Graphs

Free fermions on Johnson graphs $J(n,k)$ are considered and the entanglement entropy of sets of neighborhoods is computed. For a subsystem composed of a single neighborhood, an analytical expression is provided by the decomposition in irreducible submodules of the Terwilliger algebra of $J(n,k)$ embedded in two copies of $\mathfrak{su}(2)$. For a subsytem composed of multiple neighborhoods, the construction of a block-tridiagonal operator which commutes with the entanglement Hamiltonian is presented, its usefulness in computing the entropy is stressed and the area law pre-factor is discussed.Comment: 24 page