Optimum matching forests II: General weights

Abstract

Matching forests generalize branchings in a directed graph and matchings in an undirected graph. We present an efficient algorithm, the PMF Algorithm, for the problem: given a mixed graphG and a real weight on each of its edges, find a perfect matching forest of maximum weight-sum. The PMF Algorithm proves the sufficiency of a linear system which definesP=(G) andP(G), the convex hull of incidence vectors of perfect matching forests and matching forests respectively ofG. The algorithm also provides a generalization of Tutte's theorem on the existence of perfect matchings in an undirected graph.