New Algorithms for Maximum Disjoint Paths Based on Tree-Likeness

We study the classical NP-hard problems of finding maximum-size subsets from given sets of k terminal pairs that can be routed via edge-disjoint paths (MaxEDP) or node-disjoint paths (MaxNDP) in a given graph. The approximability of MaxEDP/NDP is currently not well understood; the best known lower bound is Omega(log^{1/2 - varepsilon} n), assuming NP not subseteq ZPTIME(n^{poly log n}). This constitutes a significant gap to the best known approximation upper bound of O(n^1/2) due to Chekuri et al. (2006) and closing this gap is currently one of the big open problems in approximation algorithms. In their seminal paper, Raghavan and Thompson (Combinatorica, 1987) introduce the technique of randomized rounding for LPs; their technique gives an O(1)-approximation when edges (or nodes) may be used by O(log n/log log n) paths. In this paper, we strengthen the above fundamental results. We provide new bounds formulated in terms of the feedback vertex set number r of a graph, which measures its vertex deletion distance to a forest. In particular, we obtain the following. - For MaxEDP, we give an O(r^0.5 log^1.5 kr)-approximation algorithm. As r<=n, up to logarithmic factors, our result strengthens the best known ratio O(n^0.5) due to Chekuri et al. - Further, we show how to route Omega(opt) pairs with congestion O(log(kr)/log log(kr)), strengthening the bound obtained by the classic approach of Raghavan and Thompson. - For MaxNDP, we give an algorithm that gives the optimal answer in time (k+r)^O(r)n. This is a substantial improvement on the run time of 2^kr^O(r)n, which can be obtained via an algorithm by Scheffler. We complement these positive results by proving that MaxEDP is NP-hard even for r=1, and MaxNDP is W[1]-hard for parameter r. This shows that neither problem is fixed-parameter tractable in r unless FPT = W[1] and that our approximability results are relevant even for very small constant values of r

Polylogarithmic Approximation for Generalized Minimum Manhattan Networks

Given a set of $n$ terminals, which are points in $d$-dimensional Euclidean space, the minimum Manhattan network problem (MMN) asks for a minimum-length rectilinear network that connects each pair of terminals by a Manhattan path, that is, a path consisting of axis-parallel segments whose total length equals the pair's Manhattan distance. Even for $d=2$, the problem is NP-hard, but constant-factor approximations are known. For $d \ge 3$, the problem is APX-hard; it is known to admit, for any \eps > 0, an O(n^\eps)-approximation. In the generalized minimum Manhattan network problem (GMMN), we are given a set $R$ of $n$ terminal pairs, and the goal is to find a minimum-length rectilinear network such that each pair in $R$ is connected by a Manhattan path. GMMN is a generalization of both MMN and the well-known rectilinear Steiner arborescence problem (RSA). So far, only special cases of GMMN have been considered. We present an $O(\log^{d+1} n)$-approximation algorithm for GMMN (and, hence, MMN) in $d \ge 2$ dimensions and an $O(\log n)$-approximation algorithm for 2D. We show that an existing $O(\log n)$-approximation algorithm for RSA in 2D generalizes easily to $d>2$ dimensions.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures; added appendix and figure

A PTAS for Euclidean TSP with Hyperplane Neighborhoods

In the Traveling Salesperson Problem with Neighborhoods (TSPN), we are given a collection of geometric regions in some space. The goal is to output a tour of minimum length that visits at least one point in each region. Even in the Euclidean plane, TSPN is known to be APX-hard, which gives rise to studying more tractable special cases of the problem. In this paper, we focus on the fundamental special case of regions that are hyperplanes in the $d$-dimensional Euclidean space. This case contrasts the much-better understood case of so-called fat regions. While for $d=2$ an exact algorithm with running time $O(n^5)$ is known, settling the exact approximability of the problem for $d=3$ has been repeatedly posed as an open question. To date, only an approximation algorithm with guarantee exponential in $d$ is known, and NP-hardness remains open. For arbitrary fixed $d$, we develop a Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme (PTAS) that works for both the tour and path version of the problem. Our algorithm is based on approximating the convex hull of the optimal tour by a convex polytope of bounded complexity. Such polytopes are represented as solutions of a sophisticated LP formulation, which we combine with the enumeration of crucial properties of the tour. As the approximation guarantee approaches $1$, our scheme adjusts the complexity of the considered polytopes accordingly. In the analysis of our approximation scheme, we show that our search space includes a sufficiently good approximation of the optimum. To do so, we develop a novel and general sparsification technique to transform an arbitrary convex polytope into one with a constant number of vertices and, in turn, into one of bounded complexity in the above sense. Hereby, we maintain important properties of the polytope

Gap-ETH-Tight Approximation Schemes for Red-Green-Blue Separation and Bicolored Noncrossing Euclidean Travelling Salesman Tours

In this paper, we study problems of connecting classes of points via noncrossing structures. Given a set of colored terminal points, we want to find a graph for each color that connects all terminals of its color with the restriction that no two graphs cross each other. We consider these problems both on the Euclidean plane and in planar graphs. On the algorithmic side, we give a Gap-ETH-tight EPTAS for the two-colored traveling salesman problem as well as for the red-blue-green separation problem (in which we want to separate terminals of three colors with two noncrossing polygons of minimum length), both on the Euclidean plane. This improves the work of Arora and Chang (ICALP 2003) who gave a slower PTAS for the simpler red-blue separation problem. For the case of unweighted plane graphs, we also show a PTAS for the two-colored traveling salesman problem. All these results are based on our new patching procedure that might be of independent interest. On the negative side, we show that the problem of connecting terminal pairs with noncrossing paths is NP-hard on the Euclidean plane, and that the problem of finding two noncrossing spanning trees is NP-hard in plane graphs.Comment: 36 pages, 15 figures (colored

Exchange-correlation kernels for excited states in solids

The performance of several common approximations for the exchange-correlation kernel within time-dependent density-functional theory is tested for elementary excitations in the homogeneous electron gas. Although the adiabatic local-density approximation gives a reasonably good account of the plasmon dispersion, systematic errors are pointed out and traced to the neglect of the wavevector dependence. Kernels optimized for atoms are found to perform poorly in extended systems due to an incorrect behavior in the long-wavelength limit, leading to quantitative deviations that significantly exceed the experimental error bars for the plasmon dispersion in the alkali metals.Comment: 7 pages including 5 figures, RevTe

Netzwerk-Design-Probleme in Graphen und auf der Ebene

A network design problem defines an infinite set whose elements, called instances, describe relationships and network constraints. It asks for an algorithm that, given an instance of this set, designs a network that respects the given constraints and at the same time optimizes some given criterion. In my thesis, I develop algorithms whose solutions are optimum or close to an optimum value within some guaranteed bound. I also examine the computational complexity of these problems. Problems from two vast areas are considered: graphs and the Euclidean plane. In the Maximum Edge Disjoint Paths problem, we are given a graph and a subset of vertex pairs that are called terminal pairs. We are asked for a set of paths where the endpoints of each path form a terminal pair. The constraint is that any two paths share at most one inner vertex. The optimization criterion is to maximize the cardinality of the set. In the hard-capacitated k-Facility Location problem, we are given an integer k and a complete graph where the distances obey a given metric and where each node has two numerical values: a capacity and an opening cost. We are asked for a subset of k nodes, called facilities, and an assignment of all the nodes, called clients, to the facilities. The constraint is that the number of clients assigned to a facility cannot exceed the facility's capacity value. The optimization criterion is to minimize the total cost which consists of the total opening cost of the facilities and the total distance between the clients and the facilities they are assigned to. In the Stabbing problem, we are given a set of axis-aligned rectangles in the plane. We are asked for a set of horizontal line segments such that, for every rectangle, there is a line segment crossing its left and right edge. The optimization criterion is to minimize the total length of the line segments. In the k-Colored Non-Crossing Euclidean Steiner Forest problem, we are given an integer k and a finite set of points in the plane where each point has one of k colors. For every color, we are asked for a drawing that connects all the points of the same color. The constraint is that drawings of different colors are not allowed to cross each other. The optimization criterion is to minimize the total length of the drawings. In the Minimum Rectilinear Polygon for Given Angle Sequence problem, we are given an angle sequence of left (+90°) turns and right (-90°) turns. We are asked for an axis-parallel simple polygon where the angles of the vertices yield the given sequence when walking around the polygon in counter-clockwise manner. The optimization criteria considered are to minimize the perimeter, the area, and the size of the axis-parallel bounding box of the polygon.Ein Netzwerk-Design-Problem definiert eine unendliche Menge, deren Elemente, als Instanzen bezeichnet, Beziehungen und Beschränkungen in einem Netzwerk beschreiben. Die Lösung eines solchen Problems besteht aus einem Algorithmus, der auf die Eingabe einer beliebigen Instanz dieser Menge ein Netzwerk entwirft, welches die gegebenen Beschränkungen einhält und gleichzeitig ein gegebenes Kriterium optimiert. In meiner Dissertation habe ich Algorithmen entwickelt, deren Netzwerke stets optimal sind oder nachweisbar nahe am Optimum liegen. Zusätzlich habe ich die Berechnungskomplexität dieser Probleme untersucht. Dabei wurden Probleme aus zwei weiten Gebieten betrachtet: Graphen und der Euklidische Ebene. Im Maximum-Edge-Disjoint-Paths-Problem besteht die Eingabe aus einem Graphen und einer Teilmenge von Knotenpaaren, die wir mit Terminalpaare bezeichnen. Gesucht ist eine Menge von Pfaden, die Terminalpaare verbinden. Die Beschränkung ist, dass keine zwei Pfade einen gleichen inneren Knoten haben dürfen. Das Optimierungskriterium ist die Maximierung der Kardinalität dieser Menge. Im Hard-Capacitated-k-Facility-Location-Problem besteht die Eingabe aus einer Ganzzahl k und einem vollständigen Graphen, in welchem die Distanzen einer gegebenen Metrik unterliegen und in welchem jedem Knoten sowohl eine numerische Kapazität als auch ein Eröffnungskostenwert zugeschrieben ist. Gesucht ist eine Teilmenge von k Knoten, Facilities genannt, und eine Zuweisung aller Knoten, Clients genannt, zu den Facilities. Die Beschränkung ist, dass die Anzahl der Clients, die einer Facility zugewiesen sind, nicht deren Kapazität überschreiten darf. Das Optimierungskriterium ist die Minimierung der Gesamtkosten bestehend aus den Gesamteröffnungskosten der Facilities sowie der Gesamtdistanz zwischen den Clients und den ihnen zugewiesenen Facilities. Im Stabbing-Problem besteht die Eingabe aus einer Menge von achsenparallelen Rechtecken in der Ebene. Gesucht ist eine Menge von horizontalen Geradenstücken mit der Randbedingung, dass die linke und rechte Seite eines jeden Rechtecks von einem Geradenstück verbunden ist. Das Optimierungskriterium ist die Minimierung der Gesamtlänge aller Geradenstücke. Im k-Colored-Non-Crossing-Euclidean-Steiner-Forest-Problem besteht die Eingabe aus einer Ganzzahl k und einer endlichen Menge von Punkten in der Ebene, wobei jeder Punkt in einer von k Farben gefärbt ist. Gesucht ist für jede Farbe eine Zeichnung, in welcher alle Punkte der Farbe verbunden sind. Die Beschränkung ist, dass Zeichnungen verschiedener Farben sich nicht kreuzen dürfen. Das Optimierungskriterium ist die Minimierung des Gesamtintenverbrauchs, das heißt, der Gesamtlänge der Zeichnungen. Im Minimum-Rectilinear-Polygon-for-Given-Angle-Sequence-Problem besteht die Eingabe aus einer Folge von Links- (+90°) und Rechtsabbiegungen (-90°). Gesucht ist ein achsenparalleles Polygon dessen Eckpunkte die gegebene Folge ergeben, wenn man das Polygon gegen den Uhrzeigersinn entlangläuft. Die Optimierungskriterien sind die Minimierung des Umfangs und der inneren Fläche des Polygons sowie der Größe des notwendigen Zeichenblattes, d.h., des kleinsten Rechteckes, das das Polygon einschließt.Given points in the plane, connect them using minimum ink. Though the task seems simple, it turns out to be very time consuming. In fact, scientists believe that computers cannot efficiently solve it. So, do we have to resign? This book examines such NP-hard network-design problems, from connectivity problems in graphs to polygonal drawing problems on the plane. First, we observe why it is so hard to optimally solve these problems. Then, we go over to attack them anyway. We develop fast algorithms that find approximate solutions that are very close to the optimal ones. Hence, connecting points with slightly more ink is not hard

On Generalized OWA Approach to Support Location and Routing Decisions

While modeling a transportation system one needs to take into account various negative e#ects of location and routing decisions for several populated spacial units. The minimization of the worst individual e#ect, the minimax approach, is the simplest solution concept focused on the spatial equity. In this paper we use the conditional means which generalize the worst e#ect by taking into account the portion of population a#ected (quantile). Further, aggregating conditional means for various quantiles we get a generalization of the so-called ordered weighted average (OWA) which allows us to model various preferences