The Morse theory of \v{C}ech and Delaunay complexes

Abstract

Given a finite set of points in $\mathbb R^n$ and a radius parameter, we study the \v{C}ech, Delaunay-\v{C}ech, Delaunay (or Alpha), and Wrap complexes in the light of generalized discrete Morse theory. Establishing the \v{C}ech and Delaunay complexes as sublevel sets of generalized discrete Morse functions, we prove that the four complexes are simple-homotopy equivalent by a sequence of simplicial collapses, which are explicitly described by a single discrete gradient field.