Statistical Mechanics of Combinatorial Auctions

Authors :: Michele Leone
Mauro Sellitto
Tobias Galla
Martin Weigt
Riccardo Zecchina
Matteo Marsili
Galla, T
Leone, M
Marsili, M
Sellitto, Mauro
Weigt, M
Zecchina, R.
Source :: Physical review letters, 97 (2006)., info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:Galla, T; Leone, M; Marsili, M; Sellitto, M; Weigt, M; Zecchina, R/titolo:Statistical mechanics of combinatorial auctions/doi:/rivista:Physical review letters (Print)/anno:2006/pagina_da:/pagina_a:/intervallo_pagine:/volume:97
Publication Year :: 2006
Publisher :: American Physical Society (APS), 2006.
Abstract: Combinatorial auctions are formulated as frustrated lattice gases on sparse random graphs, allowing the determination of the optimal revenue by methods of statistical physics. Transitions between computationally easy and hard regimes are found and interpreted in terms of the geometric structure of the space of solutions. We introduce an iterative algorithm to solve intermediate and large instances, and discuss competing states of optimal revenue and maximal number of satisfied bidders. The algorithm can be generalized to the hard phase and to more sophisticated auction protocols.<br />4 pages, 4 figures, minor changes, references added. To appear on PRL