Discrete Morse Theory for Computing Filtered Cosheaf Homology

Abstract

This paper addresses the computation of persistent homology for filtrations of cellular cosheaves over a fixed cell complex, where the algebraic data vary along the filtration while the underlying topological structure remains unchanged. We extend methods from discrete Morse theory to this setting, establishing conditions under which chain complexes can be reduced while preserving the associated persistence module. Building on these results, we introduce "FilteredScythe", an algorithm that identifies Morse matchings compatible with all stages of the filtration and performs reductions using Schur complements, based on the exist "Scythe" algorithm. We prove the correctness of these reductions and establish bounds on the algorithm's time and space complexity.