Li-Yau inequality on finite graphs via non-linear curvature dimension conditions

Abstract: We introduce a new version of a curvature-dimension inequality for non-negative curvature. We use this inequality to prove a logarithmic Li-Yau inequality on finite graphs. To formulate this inequality, we introduce a non-linear variant of the calculus of Bakry and \'Emery. In the case of manifolds, the new calculus and the new curvature-dimension inequality coincide with the common ones. In the case of graphs, they coincide in a limit. In this sense, the new curvature-dimension inequality gives a more general concept of curvature on graphs and on manifolds. We show that Ricci-flat graphs have a non-negative curvature in this sense. Moreover, a variety of non-logarithmic Li-Yau type gradient estimates can be obtained by using the new Bakry-\'Emery type calculus. Furthermore, we use these Li-Yau inequalities to derive Harnack inequalities on graphs.