Logspace computations in graph products

We consider three important and well-studied algorithmic problems in group theory: the word, geodesic, and conjugacy problem. We show transfer results from individual groups to graph products. We concentrate on logspace complexity because the challenge is actually in small complexity classes, only. The most difficult transfer result is for the conjugacy problem. We have a general result for graph products, but even in the special case of a graph group the result is new. Graph groups are closely linked to the theory of Mazurkiewicz traces which form an algebraic model for concurrent processes. Our proofs are combinatorial and based on well-known concepts in trace theory. We also use rewriting techniques over traces. For the group-theoretical part we apply Bass-Serre theory. But as we need explicit formulae and as we design concrete algorithms all our group-theoretical calculations are completely explicit and accessible to non-specialists

Evaluating Matrix Circuits

The circuit evaluation problem (also known as the compressed word problem) for finitely generated linear groups is studied. The best upper bound for this problem is $\mathsf{coRP}$, which is shown by a reduction to polynomial identity testing. Conversely, the compressed word problem for the linear group $\mathsf{SL}_3(\mathbb{Z})$ is equivalent to polynomial identity testing. In the paper, it is shown that the compressed word problem for every finitely generated nilpotent group is in $\mathsf{DET} \subseteq \mathsf{NC}^2$. Within the larger class of polycyclic groups we find examples where the compressed word problem is at least as hard as polynomial identity testing for skew arithmetic circuits

Logspace computations for Garside groups of spindle type

M. Picantin introduced the notion of Garside groups of spindle type, generalizing the 3-strand braid group. We show that, for linear Garside groups of spindle type, a normal form and a solution to the conjugacy problem are logspace computable. For linear Garside groups of spindle type with homogenous presentation we compute a geodesic normal form in logspace.Comment: 22 pages; short version as v1. Terminolgy and title changed. In particular, in previous versions we called Garside groups of spindle type "rigid Garside groups

Predicting Non-linear Cellular Automata Quickly by Decomposing Them into Linear Ones

We show that a wide variety of non-linear cellular automata (CAs) can be decomposed into a quasidirect product of linear ones. These CAs can be predicted by parallel circuits of depth O(log^2 t) using gates with binary inputs, or O(log t) depth if ``sum mod p'' gates with an unbounded number of inputs are allowed. Thus these CAs can be predicted by (idealized) parallel computers much faster than by explicit simulation, even though they are non-linear. This class includes any CA whose rule, when written as an algebra, is a solvable group. We also show that CAs based on nilpotent groups can be predicted in depth O(log t) or O(1) by circuits with binary or ``sum mod p'' gates respectively. We use these techniques to give an efficient algorithm for a CA rule which, like elementary CA rule 18, has diffusing defects that annihilate in pairs. This can be used to predict the motion of defects in rule 18 in O(log^2 t) parallel time

On the reduction of the CSP dichotomy conjecture to digraphs

It is well known that the constraint satisfaction problem over general relational structures can be reduced in polynomial time to digraphs. We present a simple variant of such a reduction and use it to show that the algebraic dichotomy conjecture is equivalent to its restriction to digraphs and that the polynomial reduction can be made in logspace. We also show that our reduction preserves the bounded width property, i.e., solvability by local consistency methods. We discuss further algorithmic properties that are preserved and related open problems.Comment: 34 pages. Article is to appear in CP2013. This version includes two appendices with proofs of claims omitted from the main articl

A finer reduction of constraint problems to digraphs

It is well known that the constraint satisfaction problem over a general relational structure A is polynomial time equivalent to the constraint problem over some associated digraph. We present a variant of this construction and show that the corresponding constraint satisfaction problem is logspace equivalent to that over A. Moreover, we show that almost all of the commonly encountered polymorphism properties are held equivalently on the A and the constructed digraph. As a consequence, the Algebraic CSP dichotomy conjecture as well as the conjectures characterizing CSPs solvable in logspace and in nondeterministic logspace are equivalent to their restriction to digraphs.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1305.203