Circular flow on signed graphs

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Abstract

The circular flow number Φc(G,σ) of a signed graph (G,σ) is the minimum r for which an orientation of (G,σ) admits a circular r-flow. We prove that the circular flow number of a signed graph (G,σ) is equal to the minimum imbalance ratio of an orientation of (G,σ). We then use this result to prove that if G is 4-edge-connected and (G,σ) has a nowhere zero flow, then Φc(G,σ) (as well as Φ(G,σ)) is at most 4. If G is 6-edge-connected and (G,σ) has a nowhere zero flow, then Φc(G,σ) is strictly less than 4.

Keywords

Signed graph
Circular flow number
Bidirected graph

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This research is partially supported by GraTel ANR-09-BLAN-0373-01 and Z6110786, ZJNSF (No. Z61107086).