Algebraic methods in pseudorandomness and circuit complexity

In this thesis, we apply tools from algebra and algebraic geometry to prove new results concerning extractors for algebraic sets, AC⁰-pseudorandomness, the recursive Fourier sampling problem, and VC dimension. We present a new construction of an extractor which works for algebraic sets defined by polynomials over F₂ of substantially higher degree than the previous state-of-the-art construction. We exhibit a collection of natural functions that behave pseudorandomly with regards to AC⁰ tests. We also exactly determine the F₂-polynomial degree of the recursive Fourier sampling problem and use this to provide new partial results towards a circuit lower bound for this problem. Finally, we answer a question posed in [MR15] concerning VC dimension, interpolation degree and the Hilbert function.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Remscrim, Zachary (Zachary N.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Michael Sipser.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106089

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/106089