核心概念
The complexity of the list homomorphism problem for separable signed graphs is classified, showing that it is polynomial-time solvable for segmented signed graphs and NP-complete otherwise.
要約
The paper investigates the complexity of list homomorphism problems for signed graphs, focusing on a special class called separable signed graphs. Separable signed graphs are irreflexive signed graphs in which the unicoloured edges form a spanning path or cycle.
The key findings are:
-
For path-separable signed graphs:
- If the signed graph is segmented (either right-segmented, left-segmented, or left-right-segmented), then the list homomorphism problem is polynomial-time solvable.
- Otherwise, the list homomorphism problem is NP-complete.
-
For cycle-separable signed graphs:
- If the signed graph is semi-balanced, then the list homomorphism problem is polynomial-time solvable if there is a special min ordering, and NP-complete otherwise.
- If the signed graph is not semi-balanced, then the list homomorphism problem is NP-complete.
The authors believe that the case of separable signed graphs, together with the case of irreflexive signed trees, will play an important role in the general classification of complexity for irreflexive signed graphs.