Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology

Computing the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds is essential for tasks such as smoothing and shape analysis. Unlike meshes, determining the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds requires establishing neighbors for each point. However, traditional k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) methods for es...

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Main Authors: Ao Zhang, Qing Fang, Peng Zhou, Xiao-Ming Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Graphical Models
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1524070325000086
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author Ao Zhang
Qing Fang
Peng Zhou
Xiao-Ming Fu
author_facet Ao Zhang
Qing Fang
Peng Zhou
Xiao-Ming Fu
author_sort Ao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Computing the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds is essential for tasks such as smoothing and shape analysis. Unlike meshes, determining the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds requires establishing neighbors for each point. However, traditional k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) methods for estimating local neighborhoods often introduce spurious connectivities that distort the manifold topology. We propose a novel approach that leverages persistent homology to refine the neighborhood graph by identifying and removing erroneous edges. Starting with an initial k-NN graph, we assign weights based on local tangent plane estimations and construct a Vietoris–Rips complex. Persistent homology is then employed to detect and eliminate spurious edges through a topological optimization process. This iterative refinement results in a more accurate neighborhood graph that better represents the underlying manifold, enabling precise discretization of the Laplace–Beltrami operator. Experimental results on various point cloud datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms traditional k-NN approaches by more accurately capturing the manifold topology and enhancing downstream computations such as spectral analysis.
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institution OA Journals
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publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Graphical Models
spelling doaj-art-f96b2f695d304e6883a9bf61552be71d2025-08-20T02:07:31ZengElsevierGraphical Models1524-07032025-06-0113910126110.1016/j.gmod.2025.101261Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homologyAo Zhang0Qing Fang1Peng Zhou2Xiao-Ming Fu3School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR ChinaComputing the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds is essential for tasks such as smoothing and shape analysis. Unlike meshes, determining the Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds requires establishing neighbors for each point. However, traditional k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) methods for estimating local neighborhoods often introduce spurious connectivities that distort the manifold topology. We propose a novel approach that leverages persistent homology to refine the neighborhood graph by identifying and removing erroneous edges. Starting with an initial k-NN graph, we assign weights based on local tangent plane estimations and construct a Vietoris–Rips complex. Persistent homology is then employed to detect and eliminate spurious edges through a topological optimization process. This iterative refinement results in a more accurate neighborhood graph that better represents the underlying manifold, enabling precise discretization of the Laplace–Beltrami operator. Experimental results on various point cloud datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms traditional k-NN approaches by more accurately capturing the manifold topology and enhancing downstream computations such as spectral analysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1524070325000086Laplace–Beltrami operatorPoint cloudsPersistent homologyTopology
spellingShingle Ao Zhang
Qing Fang
Peng Zhou
Xiao-Ming Fu
Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
Graphical Models
Laplace–Beltrami operator
Point clouds
Persistent homology
Topology
title Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
title_full Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
title_fullStr Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
title_full_unstemmed Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
title_short Topology-controlled Laplace–Beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
title_sort topology controlled laplace beltrami operator on point clouds based on persistent homology
topic Laplace–Beltrami operator
Point clouds
Persistent homology
Topology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1524070325000086
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AT qingfang topologycontrolledlaplacebeltramioperatoronpointcloudsbasedonpersistenthomology
AT pengzhou topologycontrolledlaplacebeltramioperatoronpointcloudsbasedonpersistenthomology
AT xiaomingfu topologycontrolledlaplacebeltramioperatoronpointcloudsbasedonpersistenthomology