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Local-to-global Expansion and PCPs

Project description

Developing simpler and efficient Probabilistically Checkable Proofs constructions

Probabilistically Checkable Proofs (PCPs) are a fundamental concept in modern theoretical computer science, demonstrating robust local-to-global behaviour. This theory is closely connected to the hardness of approximation and has significant applications in cryptography. The EU-funded LEAP project aims to develop simpler and more efficient PCP constructions. It will also enhance our understanding of robust encodings with local-to-global features by leveraging the emerging high-dimensional expansion (HDX) theory. This cross-disciplinary theory allows for inferences about global structure based on local link properties and has potential applications in property testing and the construction of locally testable codes. The project will explore HDX theory, construct new PCPs, research inapproximability, and create novel error-correcting codes.

Objective

This proposal aims to delve further into the study of Probabilistically Checkable Proofs (PCPs), a cornerstone of modern theoretical computer science, that exhibits some of the most powerful local to global behavior. Any NP proof can be written in a format that is locally testable, meaning that local pieces of the proof imply very rich global structure. This theory is strongly tied to hardness of approximation and has significant applications in cryptography. A major goal is to develop simpler and more efficient PCP constructions, with better parameters, as well as to deepen our understanding of robust encodings with local to global features, such as PCPs.

The main methodology of this exploration will be through harnessing the power of the beautiful emerging theory of high-dimensional expansion (HDX). Generalizing the concept of expander graphs to higher dimensions, HDX emerge as an exciting cross-disciplinary theory with roots in group theory, number theory, algebraic topology, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. The HDX theory is characterized by a local-to-global principle, which allows inferences about the global structure based on local link properties. This principle bears significant potential for areas like property testing and it has already shown its power with the construction of C^3 locally testable codes. As these are very closely connected to PCPs, we seek to harness HDX towards advancing our understanding of more general local-to-global encodings, and potentially paving the way for novel PCP constructions.

The research directions outlined in this proposal cover a wide array of goals, including the exploration of the HDX theory, the construction of new PCPs, inapproximability, and the creation of novel error-correcting codes. These directions seek to bridge various areas of mathematics and computer science, promising to contribute significantly to the field and open up new horizons for further research and applications.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG

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Host institution

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Net EU contribution
€ 2 105 840,00
Address
HERZL STREET 234
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 2 105 840,00

Beneficiaries (1)