arXiv · 1410.0333
Connections between Optimal Transport, Combinatorial Optimization and Hydrodynamics
Abstract
There are well-established connections between combinatorial optimization, optimal transport theory and Hydrodynamics, through the linear assignment problem in combinatorics, the Monge-Kantorovich problem in optimal transport theory and the model of inviscid, potential, pressure-less fluids in Hydrodynamics. Here, we consider the more challenging quadratic assignment problem (which is NP, while the linear assignment problem is just P) and find, in some particular case, a correspondence with the problem of finding stationary solutions of Euler's equations for incompressible fluids. For that purpose, we introduce and analyze a suitable "gradient flow" equation. Combining some ideas of P.-L. Lions (for the Euler equations) and Ambrosio-Gigli-Savaré (for the heat equation), we provide for the initial value problem a concept of generalized "dissipative" solutions which always exist globally in time and are unique whenever theyare smooth.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Yann Brenier. 2014-10-01. Connections between Optimal Transport, Combinatorial Optimization and Hydrodynamics. https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.0333
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.