Computer graphics and connected topologies on finite ordered sets (Q921653)

This work is motivated by problems in computer graphics and digital image processing. A finite analog of the Jordan curve theorem is developed in the following context. A connected topology on a finite ordered set is defined; the plane is then a product of two such spaces with the product topology. This topology is due to \textit{E. D. Khalimskij} [Ordered topological spaces. Kiev: ``Naukova Dumka'' (1977; Zbl 0463.54026) and Sov. Math., Dokl. 10, 1508--1511 (1969; Zbl 0213.49703); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 189, 740--743 (1969)]. The material on connected ordered topological spaces is of independent interest because the spaces can be finite and not \(T_ 1\); the usual treatments of this are done only for infinite \(T_ 1\)-spaces; see [\textit{H. Kok}, Connected orderable spaces. Mathematical Centre Tracts 49. Amsterdam: Mathematisch Centrum (1973; Zbl 0276.54031)]. More recently, a three-dimensional analogue of the digital Jordan curve theorem (i.e., a digital topological formulation of the Jordan-Brouwer theorem about surfaces that separate three-dimensional space into two connected components) has been shown by \textit{R. Kopperman} et al. [Discrete Comput. Geom. 6, No. 2, 155--161 (1991; Zbl 0738.68086)]. For a more recent survey of the field, see \textit{T. Y. Kong} et al. [Am. Math. Mon. 98, No. 10, 901--917 (1991; Zbl 0761.54036)].