Non-commutative lattice problems

Abstract

We consider several subgroup-related algorithmic questions in groups, modeled after the classic computational lattice problems, and study their computational complexity. We find polynomial time solutions to problems like finding a subgroup element closest to a given group element, or finding a shortest non-trivial element of a subgroup in the case of nilpotent groups, and a large class of surface groups and Coxeter groups. We also provide polynomial time algorithm to compute geodesics in given generators of a subgroup of a free group.