High-Dimensional $p$-Normed Flows

Abstract: We generalize Tutte's integer flows and the $d$-dimensional Euclidean flows of Mattiolo, Mazzuoccolo, Rajník, and Tabarelli to \emph{$d$-dimensional $p$-normed nowhere-zero flows} and define the corresponding flow index $φ{d,p}(G)$ to be the infimum over all real numbers $r$ for which $G$ admits a $d$-dimensional $p$-normed nowhere-zero $r$-flow. For any bridgeless graph $G$ and any $p\ge 1$, we establish general upper bounds, including $φ{2,p}(G) \le 3$, $φ{3,p}(G) \le 1+\sqrt{2}$, and tight bounds for graphs admitting a $4$-NZF. For graphs with oriented $(k+1)$-cycle $2l$-covers, we show that $φ{k,p}(G) = 2$, which implies $φ{2,p}(G) = 2$ for graphs admitting a nowhere-zero $3$-flow and $φ{3,p}(G) = 2$ for those admitting a nowhere-zero $4$-flow. These results extend classical flow theory to arbitrary norms, provide supporting evidences for Tutte's $5$-flow Conjecture and Jain's $S^2$-Flow Conjecture, and connect combinatorial flows with geometric and topological perspectives.