On quadratic embedding constants of star product graphs

Abstract

A connected graph $G$ is of QE class if it admits a quadratic embedding in a Hilbert space, or equivalently if the distance matrix is conditionally negative definite, or equivalently if the quadratic embedding constant $\mathrm{QEC}(G)$ is non-positive. For a finite star product of (finite or infinite) graphs $G=G_1\star\cdots \star G_r$ an estimate of $\mathrm{QEC}(G)$ is obtained after a detailed analysis of the minimal solution of a certain algebraic equation. For the path graph $P_n$ an implicit formula for $\mathrm{QEC}(P_n)$ is derived, and by limit argument $\mathrm{QEC}(\mathbb{Z})=\mathrm{QEC}(\mathbb{Z}_+)=-1/2$ is shown. During the discussion a new integer sequence is found.