Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2503.09301

Computing Connection Matrices of Conley Complexes via Algebraic Morse Theory

Abstract

Given a poset-graded chain complex of vector spaces, a Conley complex is the minimal chain-homotopic reduction of the initial complex that respects the poset grading. A connection matrix is a matrix representing the differential of the Conley complex. In this work, we give an algebraic derivation of the Conley complex and its connection matrix using homological perturbation theory and algebraic Morse theory. Under this framework, we use a graded splitting of relative chain groups to determine the connection matrix, rather than Forman's acyclic partial matching in the usual discrete Morse theory setting. This splitting is obtained by means of the clearing optimisation, a commonly used technique in persistent homology. Finally, we show how this algebraic perspective yields an algorithm for computing the connection matrix via column reductions on the differential of the initial complex.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Álvaro Torras-Casas, Ka Man Yim, Ulrich Pennig. 2026-05-05. Computing Connection Matrices of Conley Complexes via Algebraic Morse Theory. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.09301

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Continuous Comparison of Free Simplicial Prounipotent and Pro-$p$ Resolutions

We give a continuous version of the comparison theorem for free simplicial resolutions in the categories of prounipotent groups over a field of characteristic zero and of pro-$p$ groups. The resolutions carry free bases compatible with degeneracies; their ranks may be infinite. In characteristic zero the lifting step follows from continuous linear splittings and the universal property of completed free Lie algebras. In the pro-$p$ case it follows from the classical projectivity of free pro-$p$ groups. A relative lifting argument and an explicit simplicial cylinder establish homotopy uniqueness. We formulate the free bases using actual surjections in the simplex category, so degeneracy words related by simplicial identities are identified from the outset, and we spell out the full matching objects used in the lifting argument. The question arose naturally in our preceding work on Bousfield--Kan completions of subcontractible presentations.

math.AT

Bousfield--Kan Completions of Subcontractible Presentations

We study Bousfield--Kan completions through the interaction of free simplicial resolutions, their filtration spectral sequences, and a noncommutative arithmetic square. For every free discrete simplicial group of finite type, we express its integral pronilpotent completion as the homotopy pullback of its rational prounipotent completion and the product of its pro-$p$ completions over an explicit adelic simplicial group. The adelic entry is formed by taking restricted products at finite nilpotent stages and then their inverse limit; no nilpotency assumption on the original group of components is required. Finite subpresentations of contractible presentations provide an explicit application of this construction. Independence of the specified relators makes the positive-degree terms of the rational and mod-$p$ filtration spectral sequences vanish, with convergence verified on the quotient towers. Continuous comparison of free simplicial resolutions then realizes, in characteristic zero, the equivalence with a constant free prounipotent group by morphisms and homotopies in that category. For the corresponding presentation complex $K$ we obtain $R_\infty K\simeq K(F_R(Z),1)$ for $R=\mathbb Q,\mathbb F_p,\mathbb Z$, where $Z$ indexes a complementary basis and $F_R(Z)$ denotes, respectively, the rational points of a free prounipotent group, a free pro-$p$ group, or a free pronilpotent group. Compatible contractions at the nilpotent stages identify all four entries of the arithmetic square in this case.

math.AT

On spaces of embeddings of circles in surfaces

We consider the space of embeddings of finitely many circles that bound disks in non-positively curved surfaces. We index the connected components of this space with finite rooted trees and show that the connected components are classifying spaces of the ``braided" automorphism groups of the associated trees. An intermediate step to proving these results is to construct a strong deformation retract onto the subspace of geometric circles; moreover, this strong deformation retraction is equivariant with respect to transformations of the surface.

math.AT