A Linear Complexity Algorithm for Optimal Transport Problem with Log-type Cost

Abstract

In [Q. Liao et al., Commun. Math. Sci., 20(2022)], a linear-time Sinkhorn algorithm is developed based on dynamic programming, which significantly reduces the computational complexity involved in solving optimal transport problems. However, this algorithm is specifically designed for the Wasserstein-1 metric. We are curious whether the preceding dynamic programming framework can be extended to tackle optimal transport problems with different transport costs. Notably, two special kinds of optimal transport problems, the Sinkhorn ranking and the far-field reflector and refractor problems, are closely associated with the log-type transport costs. Interestingly, by employing series rearrangement and dynamic programming techniques, it is feasible to perform the matrix-vector multiplication within the Sinkhorn iteration in linear time for this type of cost. This paper provides a detailed exposition of its implementation and applications, with numerical simulations demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of our methods.