English

Graph isomorphisms in quasi-polynomial time

Group Theory 2017-10-13 v1

Abstract

Let us be given two graphs Γ1\Gamma_1, Γ2\Gamma_2 of nn vertices. Are they isomorphic? If they are, the set of isomorphisms from Γ1\Gamma_1 to Γ2\Gamma_2 can be identified with a coset HπH\cdot\pi inside the symmetric group on nn elements. How do we find π\pi and a set of generators of HH? The challenge of giving an always efficient algorithm answering these questions remained open for a long time. Babai has recently shown how to solve these problems -- and others linked to them -- in quasi-polynomial time, i.e. in time exp(O(logn)O(1))\exp\left(O(\log n)^{O(1)}\right). His strategy is based in part on the algorithm by Luks (1980/82), who solved the case of graphs of bounded degree.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1710.04574,
  title  = {Graph isomorphisms in quasi-polynomial time},
  author = {Harald Andrés Helfgott and Jitendra Bajpai and Daniele Dona},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1710.04574},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

Translation from the French original (with additions: solutions, further problems) of arXiv:1701.04372; main text (42 pages) by Harald Helfgott + Appendix B (24 pages) by Jitendra Bajpai and Daniele Dona + bibliography (2 pages)

R2 v1 2026-06-22T22:11:40.077Z