Swendsen-Wang Algorithm on the Mean-Field Potts Model

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the mixing times of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm for the mean-field Potts model, revealing phase-dependent behaviors and extending understanding beyond the well-studied Ising case.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed phase transition analysis of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm's mixing times for q≥3 on the complete graph.

Findings

Mixing time is constant below the lower critical temperature $eta_u$.

Mixing time is polynomial at the critical point $eta_u$.

Exponential mixing time occurs between $eta_u$ and $eta_{rc}$.

Abstract

We study the $q$-state ferromagnetic Potts model on the $n$-vertex complete graph known as the mean-field (Curie-Weiss) model. We analyze the Swendsen-Wang algorithm which is a Markov chain that utilizes the random cluster representation for the ferromagnetic Potts model to recolor large sets of vertices in one step and potentially overcomes obstacles that inhibit single-site Glauber dynamics. Long et al. studied the case $q=2$, the Swendsen-Wang algorithm for the mean-field ferromagnetic Ising model, and showed that the mixing time satisfies: (i) $\Theta(1)$ for $\beta<\beta_c$, (ii) $\Theta(n^{1/4})$ for $\beta=\beta_c$, (iii) $\Theta(\log n)$ for $\beta>\beta_c$, where $\beta_c$ is the critical temperature for the ordered/disordered phase transition. In contrast, for $q\geq 3$ there are two critical temperatures $0<\beta_u<\beta_{rc}$ that are relevant. We prove that the mixing time of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm for the ferromagnetic Potts model on the $n$-vertex complete graph satisfies: (i) $\Theta(1)$ for $\beta<\beta_u$, (ii) $\Theta(n^{1/3})$ for $\beta=\beta_u$, (iii) $\exp(n^{\Omega(1)})$ for $\beta_u<\beta<\beta_{rc}$, and (iv) $\Theta(\log{n})$ for $\beta\geq\beta_{rc}$. These results complement refined results of Cuff et al. on the mixing time of the Glauber dynamics for the ferromagnetic Potts model.