Hager-Zhang Conjugate Gradient Method for Set Optimization with Set-Valued Objective Map of Finite Cardinality

This work introduces a nonlinear Hager-Zhang conjugate gradient method for solving set optimization problems. The objective function under consideration is defined by a finite collection of continuously differentiable functions. Notably, the proposed approach imposes restrictions neither on the existence of a finite generator of the ordering cone nor on any regularity condition at the optimal solution. As a result, the proposed method holds considerable significance for both set optimization and vector optimization problems, with the latter serving as a special case of the former. The study begins by discussing Wolfe line search conditions using Drummond-Svaiter scalarization function. Thereafter, we establish the existence of a step length satisfying the Wolfe line search conditions along a descent direction. The Hager-Zhang scalar conjugate parameter is introduced to derive the search direction for the proposed method. It is established that the direction generated by the proposed method is a descent direction. The well-definedness of the proposed method is given. Furthermore, we discuss some important results and a Zoutendijk-like condition to ensure global convergence. Subsequently, the global convergence of the proposed method is established in an asymptotic manner. Finally, numerical experiments on various test problems validate the practical performance and effectiveness of the proposed technique.