English

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

Computational Complexity 2026-02-13 v1

Abstract

We prove a complete complexity classification theorem for the planar eight-vertex model. For every parameter setting in C{\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.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.11292,
  title  = {New Planar Algorithms and a Full Complexity Classification of the Eight-Vertex Model},
  author = {Austen Fan and Jin-Yi Cai and Shuai Shao and Zhuxiao Tang},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.11292},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

76 pages, 10 figures, accepted by STOC 2026

R2 v1 2026-07-01T10:32:35.443Z