New Planar Algorithms and a Full Complexity Classification of the Eight-Vertex Model

Austen Fan; Jin-Yi Cai; Shuai Shao; Zhuxiao Tang

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arXiv · 2602.11292

New Planar Algorithms and a Full Complexity Classification of the Eight-Vertex Model

Austen Fan·Jin-Yi Cai·Shuai Shao·Zhuxiao Tang

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Abstract

We prove a complete complexity classification theorem for the planar eight-vertex model. For every parameter setting in ${\mathbb C}$ for the eight-vertex model, the partition function is either (1) computable in P-time for every graph, or (2) \#P-hard for general graphs but computable in P-time for planar graphs, or (3) \#P-hard even for planar graphs. The classification has an explicit criterion. In (2), we discover new P-time computable eight-vertex models on planar graphs beyond Kasteleyn's algorithm for counting planar perfect matchings. They are obtained by a combinatorial transformation to the planar {\sc Even Coloring} problem followed by a holographic transformation to the tractable cases in the planar six-vertex model. In the process, we also encounter non-local connections between the planar eight vertex model and the bipartite Ising model, conformal lattice interpolation and M\"{o}bius transformation from complex analysis. The proof also makes use of cyclotomic fields.

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Austen Fan, Jin-Yi Cai, Shuai Shao, Zhuxiao Tang. 2026-02-11. New Planar Algorithms and a Full Complexity Classification of the Eight-Vertex Model. https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.11292

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