Moser’s shadow problem

Abstract

Moser's shadow problem asks to estimate the shadow function $\mathfrak{s}_b(n)$, which is the largest number such that for each bounded convex polyhedron $P$ with $n$ vertices in $3$-space there is some direction ${\bf v}$ (depending on $P$) such that, when illuminated by parallel light rays from infinity in direction ${\bf v}$, the polyhedron casts a shadow having at least $\mathfrak{s}_b(n)$ vertices. A general version of the problem allows unbounded polyhedra as well, and has associated shadow function $\mathfrak{s}_u(n)$. This paper presents correct order of magnitude asymptotic bounds on these functions. The bounded case has answer $\mathfrak{s}_b(n) = \Theta \big( \log (n)/ (\log(\log (n))\big$. The unbounded shadow problem is shown to have the different asymptotic growth rate $\mathfrak{s}_u(n) = \Theta \big(1\big)$. Results on the bounded shadow problem follow from 1989 work of Chazelle, Edelsbrunner and Guibas on the (bounded) silhouette span number $\mathfrak{s}_b^{\ast}(n)$, defined analogously but with arbitrary light sources. We complete the picture by showing that the unbounded silhouette span number $\mathfrak{s}_u^{\ast}(n)$ grows as $\Theta \big( \log (n)/ (\log(\log (n))\big)$.