Centered colorings and weak coloring numbers in minor-closed graph classes

Abstract

Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a proper minor-closed class of graphs. Given the minors excluded in $\mathcal{C}$, we determine the maximum $q$-centered chromatic number and the maximum $q$th weak coloring number of graphs in $\mathcal{C}$ within an $\mathcal{O}(q)$-factor. Moreover, when $\mathcal{C}$ excludes a planar graph, we determine it within a constant factor. Our results imply that the $q$-centered chromatic number of $K_t$-minor-free graphs is in $\mathcal{O}(q^{t-1})$, improving on the previously known $\mathcal{O}(q^{h(t)})$ bound with a large and non-explicit function $h$. We include similar bounds for another family of parameters, the fractional treedepth fragility rates. All our bounds are proved via the same general framework.

120 pages, 38 figures. Some of the results already appeared in arXiv:2411.02122 and arXiv:2407.04588