Component-Perfect Multidimensional Discrete Morse Functions

Abstract

We introduce the concept of component-perfect multidimensional discrete Morse (MDM) functions on finite regular CW complexes. While perfect discrete Morse functions in the classical sense require the number of critical cells of index $p$ to exactly equal the $p$-th Betti number, the multiparameter framework necessitates a topological dynamics perspective, where critical cells naturally cluster into connected components. Building upon the existing notion of strictly perfect MDM functions, we propose the more flexible definition of component-perfection. We also show how to restrict and extend MDM functions on finite regular CW complexes, laying the groundwork for more complex topological operations.

21 pages, 3 figures. Any comments are welcome