Spectra of Discrete Structures

Addressing the active and challenging field of spectral theory, this book develops the general theory of spectra of discrete structures, on graphs, simplicial complexes, and hypergraphs. In fact, hypergraphs have long been neglected in mathematical research, but because of the discovery of Laplace operators that can probe their structure, and their manifold applications from chemical reaction networks to social interactions, they have now become one of the most active areas of interdisciplinary research. The authors' analysis of spectra of discrete structures embeds intuitive and easily visualized examples, which are often quite subtle, within a general mathematical framework. They highlight novel research on Cheeger-type inequalities that connect spectral estimates with the geometry, more precisely the cohesion, of the underlying structure. Establishing mathematical foundations and demonstrating applications, this book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in mathematics working on the spectral theory of operators on discrete structures.