Moment approximations for set-semidefinite polynomials (Q382904)

The paper provides outer approximations to the set of set-semidefinite polynomials which, by definition, is the set of polynomials that are nonnegative over a subset of the nonnegative orthant. Further specifications of the polynomials are permitted. Set-semidefinite polynomials have applications, for example, in combinatorial optimization, signal processing, quantum mechanics, and statistics. In their analysis the authors relate to results of \textit{J. B. Lasserre} [SIAM J. Optim. 21, No. 3, 864--885 (2011; Zbl 1242.90176)] who previously used moments to provide an outer approximation of the set of polynomials which are nonnegative over a general closed subset of the real space. Through restriction to completely positive moment matrices, a new outer approximation hierarchy for the set of set-semidefinite polynomials can be provided. The ideas used yield new insights into the application of moments for the construction of such type of approximations. The convergence of the proposed hierarchies is demonstrated for some small-scale examples.