Singularly perturbed nonlinear ODEs and interior point optimization algorithms

This paper explores the continuous realizations of iterative processes emanating from interior point optimization algorithms, and their connection with nonlinear singularly-perturbed ordinary differential equations. This mathematical connection provides a theoretical framework for the analysis of the dynamical properties long known and exploited in interior point-based optimization techniques. In addition, this connection is used to show that the logarithmic barrier function is indeed, in some sense, optimum.