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arXiv · 1108.3061

Min-type Morse theory for configuration spaces of hard spheres

Yuliy Baryshnikov·Peter Bubenik·Matthew Kahle
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Abstract

We study configuration spaces of hard spheres in a bounded region. We develop a general Morse-theoretic framework, and show that mechanically balanced configurations play the role of critical points. As an application, we find the precise threshold radius for a configuration space to be homotopy equivalent to the configuration space of points.

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Yuliy Baryshnikov, Peter Bubenik, Matthew Kahle. 2011-08-29. Min-type Morse theory for configuration spaces of hard spheres. https://doi.org/10.1093/imrn%2Frnt012

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