Optimal regularity of extended mean field controls and their piecewise constant approximation

Abstract: We consider the control of McKean-Vlasov dynamics whose coefficients have mean field interactions in the state and control. We show that for a class of linear-convex mean field control problems, the unique optimal open-loop control admits the optimal 1/2-H\"{o}lder regularity in time. Consequently, we prove that the value function can be approximated by one with piecewise constant controls and discrete-time state processes arising from Euler-Maruyama time stepping, up to an order 1/2 error, and the optimal control can be approximated up to an order 1/4 error. These results are novel even for the case without mean field interaction.