Ricci curvature, graphs and eigenvalues

Abstract

We express the discrete Ricci curvature of a graph as the minimal eigenvalue of a family of matrices, one for each vertex of a graph whose entries depend on the local adjacency structure of the graph. Using this method we compute or bound the Ricci curvature of Cayley graphs of finite Coxeter groups and affine Weyl groups. As an application we obtain an isoperimetric inequality that holds for all Cayley graphs of finite Coxeter groups.