The Steiner tree problem is one of the most important combinatorial optimization problems. It has a long history that can be traced back to the famous mathematician Fermat (1601 1665). This book studies three significant breakthroughs on the Steiner tree problem that were achieved in the 1990s, and some important applications of Steiner tree problems in computer communication networks researched in the past fifteen years. It not only covers some of the most recent developments in Steiner tree problems, but also discusses various combinatorial optimization methods, thus providing a balance between theory and practice.

Contents: Minimax Approach and Steiner Ratio; k-Steiner Ratios and Better Approximation Algorithms; Geometric Partitions and Polynomial Time Approximation Schemes; Grade of Service Steiner Tree Problem; Steiner Tree Problem for Minimal Steiner Points; Bottleneck Steiner Tree Problem; Steiner k-Tree and k-Path Routing Problems; Steiner Tree Coloring Problem; Steiner Tree Scheduling Problem; Survivable Steiner Network Problem.