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Hung M. Phan

Publications and source records attributed to Hung M. Phan.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2014

On the convexity of piecewise-defined functions

Functions that are piecewise defined are a common sight in mathematics while convexity is a property especially desired in optimization. Suppose now a piecewise-defined function is convex on each of its defining components - when can we conclude that the entire function is convex? In this paper we provide several convenient, verifiable conditions guaranteeing convexity (or the lack thereof). Several examples are presented to illustrate our results.

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arXiv2014

Optimal rates of convergence of matrices with applications

We present a systematic study on the linear convergence rates of the powers of (real or complex) matrices. We derive a characterization when the optimal convergence rate is attained. This characterization is given in terms of semi-simpleness of all eigenvalues having the second-largest modulus after 1. We also provide applications of our general results to analyze the optimal convergence rates for several relaxed alternating projection methods and the generalized Douglas-Rachford splitting methods for finding the projection on the intersection of two subspaces. Numerical experiments confirm our convergence analysis.

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arXiv2014

Linear and strong convergence of algorithms involving averaged nonexpansive operators

We introduce regularity notions for averaged nonexpansive operators. Combined with regularity notions of their fixed point sets, we obtain linear and strong convergence results for quasicyclic, cyclic, and random iterations. New convergence results on the Borwein-Tam method (BTM) and on the cylically anchored Douglas-Rachford algorithm (CADRA) are also presented. Finally, we provide a numerical comparison of BTM, CADRA and the classical method of cyclic projections for solving convex feasibility problems.

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arXiv2013

The rate of linear convergence of the Douglas-Rachford algorithm for subspaces is the cosine of the Friedrichs angle

The Douglas-Rachford splitting algorithm is a classical optimization method that has found many applications. When specialized to two normal cone operators, it yields an algorithm for finding a point in the intersection of two convex sets. This method for solving feasibility problems has attracted a lot of attention due to its good performance even in nonconvex settings. In this paper, we consider the Douglas-Rachford algorithm for finding a point in the intersection of two subspaces. We prove that the method converges strongly to the projection of the starting point onto the intersection. Moreover, if the sum of the two subspaces is closed, then the convergence is linear with the rate being the cosine of the Friedrichs angle between the subspaces. Our results improve upon existing results in three ways: First, we identify the location of the limit and thus reveal the method as a best approximation algorithm; second, we quantify the rate of convergence, and third, we carry out our analysis in general (possibly infinite-dimensional) Hilbert space. We also provide various examples as well as a comparison with the classical method of alternating projections.

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arXiv2013

The Method of Alternating Relaxed Projections for two nonconvex sets

The Method of Alternating Projections (MAP), a classical algorithm for solving feasibility prob- lems, has recently been intensely studied for nonconvex sets. However, intrinsically available are only local convergence results: convergence occurs if the starting point is not too far away from solutions to avoid getting trapped in certain regions. Instead of taking full projection steps, it can be advantageous to underrelax, i.e., to move only part way towards the constraint set, in order to enlarge the regions of convergence. In this paper, we thus systematically study the Method of Alternating Relaxed Projections (MARP) for two (possibly nonconvex) sets. Complementing our recent work on MAP, we es- tablish local linear convergence results for the MARP. Several examples illustrate our analysis.

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arXiv2012

Restricted normal cones and the method of alternating projections

The method of alternating projections (MAP) is a common method for solving feasibility problems. While employed traditionally to subspaces or to convex sets, little was known about the behavior of the MAP in the nonconvex case until 2009, when Lewis, Luke, and Malick derived local linear convergence results provided that a condition involving normal cones holds and at least one of the sets is superregular (a property less restrictive than convexity). However, their results failed to capture very simple classical convex instances such as two lines in three-dimensional space. In this paper, we extend and develop the Lewis-Luke-Malick framework so that not only any two linear subspaces but also any two closed convex sets whose relative interiors meet are covered. We also allow for sets that are more structured such as unions of convex sets. The key tool required is the restricted normal cone, which is a generalization of the classical Mordukhovich normal cone. We thoroughly study restricted normal cones from the viewpoint of constraint qualifications and regularity. Numerous examples are provided to illustrate the theory.

math.FA↗
arXiv2012

Restricted normal cones and sparsity optimization with affine constraints

The problem of finding a vector with the fewest nonzero elements that satisfies an underdetermined system of linear equations is an NP-complete problem that is typically solved numerically via convex heuristics or nicely-behaved non convex relaxations. In this paper we consider the elementary method of alternating projections (MAP) for solving the sparsity optimization problem without employing convex heuristics. In a parallel paper we recently introduced the restricted normal cone which generalizes the classical Mordukhovich normal cone and reconciles some fundamental gaps in the theory of sufficient conditions for local linear convergence of the MAP algorithm. We use the restricted normal cone together with the notion of superregularity, which is naturally satisfied for the affine sparse optimization problem, to obtain local linear convergence results with estimates for the radius of convergence of the MAP algorithm applied to sparsity optimization with an affine constraint.

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arXiv2011

Rated Extremal Principles for Finite and Infinite Systems

In this paper we introduce new notions of local extremality for finite and infinite systems of closed sets and establish the corresponding extremal principles for them called here rated extremal principles. These developments are in the core geometric theory of variational analysis. We present their applications to calculus and optimality conditions for problems with infinitely many constraints.

math.OC↗
arXiv2011

Tangential Extremal Principles for Finite and Infinite Systems of Sets, I: Basic Theory

In this paper we develop new extremal principles in variational analysis that deal with finite and infinite systems of convex and nonconvex sets. The results obtained, unified under the name of tangential extremal principles, combine primal and dual approaches to the study of variational systems being in fact first extremal principles applied to infinite systems of sets. The first part of the paper concerns the basic theory of tangential extremal principles while the second part presents applications to problems of semi-infinite programming and multiobjective optimization.

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