Two Aspects of Topology in Graph Configuration Spaces

Abstract

A graph configuration space is generated by the movement of a finite number of robots on a graph. These configuration spaces of points in a graph are topologically interesting objects. By using local, combinatorial properties, we define a new classification of graphs whose configuration spaces are pseudomanifolds with boundary. In algebraic topology, graph configuration spaces are closely related to classical braid groups, which can be described as fundamental groups of configuration spaces of points in the plane. We examine this relationship by finding a presentation for the fundamental group of one graph configuration space.