A reduction of the spectrum problem for odd sun systems and the prime case

Abstract

A $k$-cycle with a pendant edge attached to each vertex is called a $k$-sun. The existence problem for $k$-sun decompositions of $K_v$, with $k$ odd, has been solved only when $k=3$ or $5$. By adapting a method used by Hoffmann, Lindner and Rodger to reduce the spectrum problem for odd cycle systems of the complete graph, we show that if there is a $k$-sun system of $K_v$ ($k$ odd) whenever $v$ lies in the range $2k<v<6k$ and satisfies the obvious necessary conditions, then such a system exists for every admissible $v\ge 6k$.

28 pages, 2 figures