Efficient Diffusion Models under Nonconvex Equality and Inequality constraints via Landing

arXiv stat.ML / 4/21/2026

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Key Points

  • The paper introduces a unified framework for diffusion-based generative modeling that enforces both equality and inequality constraints throughout the forward and backward diffusion processes on general nonconvex feasible sets.
  • It supports both overdamped and underdamped dynamics to improve sampling behavior, with underdamped dynamics specifically helping accelerate mixing toward the prior distribution.
  • The main contribution is a “landing” mechanism that avoids expensive and sometimes ill-defined projections onto the feasible set, removing the need for iterative Newton solves and reducing projection failures.
  • Experiments on benchmarks with equality and mixed constraints show that the proposed method matches state-of-the-art sample quality while substantially lowering computational cost.
  • The approach further reduces function evaluations and memory usage during both training and inference, making constrained diffusion more practical and scalable for scientific and engineering applications.

Abstract

Generative modeling within constrained sets is essential for scientific and engineering applications involving physical, geometric, or safety requirements (e.g., molecular generation, robotics). We present a unified framework for constrained diffusion models on generic nonconvex feasible sets \Sigma that simultaneously enforces equality and inequality constraints throughout the diffusion process. Our framework incorporates both overdamped and underdamped dynamics for forward and backward sampling. A key algorithmic innovation is a computationally efficient landing mechanism that replaces costly and often ill-defined projections onto \Sigma, ensuring feasibility without iterative Newton solves or projection failures. By leveraging underdamped dynamics, we accelerate mixing toward the prior distribution, effectively alleviating the high simulation costs typically associated with constrained diffusion. Empirically, this approach reduces function evaluations and memory usage during both training and inference while preserving sample quality. On benchmarks featuring equality and mixed constraints, our method achieves comparable sample quality to state-of-the-art baselines while significantly reducing computational cost, providing a practical and scalable solution for diffusion on nonconvex feasible sets.