Low-rank semidefinite programming for the MAX2SAT problem

This paper proposes a new algorithm for solving MAX2SAT problems based on combining search methods with semidefinite programming approaches. Semidefinite programming techniques are well-known as a theoretical tool for approximating maximum satisfiability problems, but their application has traditionally been very limited by their speed and randomized nature. Our approach overcomes this difficult by using a recent approach to low-rank semidefinite programming, specialized to work in an incremental fashion suitable for use in an exact search algorithm. The method can be used both within complete or incomplete solver, and we demonstrate on a variety of problems from recent competitions. Our experiments show that the approach is faster (sometimes by orders of magnitude) than existing state-of-the-art complete and incomplete solvers, representing a substantial advance in search methods specialized for MAX2SAT problems.Comment: Accepted at AAAI'19. The code can be found at https://github.com/locuslab/mixsa

Odd parity superconductivity in Weyl semimetals

Unconventional superconducting states of matter are realized in the presence of strong spin orbit coupling. In particular, non degenerate bands can support odd parity superconductivity with rich topological content. Here we study whether this is the case for Weyl semimetals. These are systems whose low energy sector, in the absence of interactions, is described by linearly dispersing chiral fermions in three dimensions. The energy spectrum has nodes at an even number of points in the Brillouin zone. Consequently both intranodal finite momentum pairing and internodal BCS superconductivity are allowed. For local attractive interaction the finite momentum pairing state with chiral p-wave symmetry is found to be most favorable at finite chemical potential. The state is an analog of the superfluid $^{3}$He A phase, with cooper pairs having finite center of mass momentum. For chemical potential at the node the state is preempted by a fully gapped charge density wave. For long range attraction the BCS state wins out for all values of the chemical potential