Exact-Distance Domination in Grid Graphs

Abstract

Let $G_n$ be the $n\times n$ square grid, and let $k\geq 2$. A set $D\subseteq V(G_n)$ is an \emph{exact-distance $k$-dominating set} if every vertex $v\in V(G_n)\setminus D$ has a vertex $u\in D$ with $d(u,v)=k$. We write $D_{\mathrm{opt}}^{(k)}(G_n)$ for the minimum cardinality of such a set. For every fixed $k$, consider the limit $ \delta_k= \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{D_{\mathrm{opt}}^{(k)}(G_n)}{n^2}. $ We prove that, for every fixed \(k\geq 3\), $ \frac{1}{4k} \leq \delta_k \leq \frac{k-1}{3k^2-k-1}. $ For $k=2$, the exact value $\delta_2=1/9$ follows directly.