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Generation and properties of snarks
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.
2013 (English)In: Journal of combinatorial theory. Series B (Print), ISSN 0095-8956, E-ISSN 1096-0902, Vol. 103, no 4, 468-488 p.Article in journal (Refereed) Published
##### Abstract [en]

For many of the unsolved problems concerning cycles and matchings in graphs it is known that it is sufficient to prove them for snarks, the class of non-trivial 3-regular graphs which cannot be 3-edge coloured.

In the first part of this paper we present a. new algorithm for generating all non-isomorphic snarks of a given order. Our implementation of the new algorithm is 14 times faster than previous programs for generating snarks, and 29 times faster for generating weak snarks. Using this program we have generated all non-isomorphic snarks on n <= 36 vertices. Previously lists up to n = 28 vertices have been published.

In the second part of the paper we analyze the sets of generated snarks with respect to a number of properties and conjectures. We find that some of the strongest versions of the cycle double cover conjecture hold for all snarks of these orders, as does Jaeger's Petersen colouring conjecture, which in turn implies that Fulkerson's conjecture has no small counterexamples. In contrast to these positive results we also find counterexamples to eight previously published conjectures concerning cycle coverings and the general cycle structure of cubic graphs.

##### Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2013. Vol. 103, no 4, 468-488 p.
##### Keyword [en]
Snarks, Cycle double covers, Shortest cycle covers, Computer generation
Mathematics
##### Identifiers
ISI: 000321725600004OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-79263DiVA: diva2:645647
Available from: 2013-09-05 Created: 2013-08-13 Last updated: 2013-09-05Bibliographically approved
##### In thesis
1. Snarks: Generation, coverings and colourings
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Snarks: Generation, coverings and colourings
2012 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
##### Abstract [en]

For a number of unsolved problems in graph theory such as the cycle double cover conjecture, Fulkerson's conjecture and Tutte's 5-flow conjecture it is sufficient to prove them for a family of graphs called snarks. Named after the mysterious creature in Lewis Carroll's poem, a \emph{snark} is a cyclically 4-edge connected 3-regular graph of girth at least 5 which cannot be properly edge coloured using three colours. Snarks and problems for which an edge minimal counterexample must be a snark are the central topics of this thesis.

The first part of this thesis is intended as a short introduction to the area. The second part is an introduction to the appended papers and the third part consists of the four papers presented in a chronological order.

In Paper I we study the strong cycle double cover conjecture and stable cycles for small snarks. We prove that if a bridgeless cubic graph $G$ has a cycle of length at least $|V(G)|-9$ then it also has a cycle double cover. Furthermore we show that there exist cyclically 5-edge connected snarks with stable cycles and that there exists an infinite family of snarks with stable cycles of length 24.

In Paper II we present a new algorithm for generating all non-isomorphic snarks with a given number of vertices. We generate all snarks on 36 vertices and less and study these with respect to various properties. We find that a number of conjectures on cycle covers and colourings holds for all graphs of these orders. Furthermore we present counterexamples to no less than eight published conjectures on cycle coverings, cycle decompositions and the general structure of regular graphs.

In Paper III we show that Jaeger's Petersen colouring conjecture holds for three infinite families of snarks and that a minimum counterexample to this conjecture cannot contain a certain subdivision of $K_{3,3}$ as a subgraph. Furthermore, it is shown that one infinite family of snarks have strong Petersen colourings while another does not have any such colourings.

Two simple constructions for snarks with arbitrary high oddness and resistance is given in Paper IV. It is observed that some snarks obtained from this construction have the property that they require at least five perfect matchings to cover the edges. This disproves a suggested strengthening of Fulkerson's conjecture.

##### Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå: Umeå universitet, 2012. 69 p.
##### Series
Doctoral thesis / Umeå University, Department of Mathematics, ISSN 1102-8300 ; 53
##### Keyword
Snarks, cubic graphs, enumeration, cycle covers, perfect matching covers, Fulkerson's conjecture, strong cycle double cover conjecture, cycle decompositions, stable cycles, oddness, circumference, uncolourability measures
##### National Category
Discrete Mathematics
Mathematics
##### Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-53337 (URN)978-91-7459-399-0 (ISBN)
##### Public defence
2012-04-13, MIT-huset, MA121, Umeå universitet, Umeå, 13:15 (English)
##### Supervisors
Available from: 2012-03-23 Created: 2012-03-21 Last updated: 2013-09-05Bibliographically approved

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Hägglund, JonasMarkström, Klas
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Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics
##### In the same journal
Journal of combinatorial theory. Series B (Print)
Mathematics