Hermite constant

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In mathematics, the Hermite constant, named after Charles Hermite, determines how long a shortest element of a lattice in Euclidean space can be.

Contents

The constant γn for integers n > 0 is defined as follows. For a lattice L in Euclidean space Rn with unit covolume, i.e. vol(Rn/L) = 1, let λ1(L) denote the least length of a nonzero element of L. Then γn is the maximum of λ1(L) over all such lattices L.

The square root in the definition of the Hermite constant is a matter of historical convention.

Alternatively, the Hermite constant γn can be defined as the square of the maximal systole of a flat n-dimensional torus of unit volume.

Example

The Hermite constant is known in dimensions 1–8 and 24.

n1234567824

For n = 2, one has γ2 = 2/3. This value is attained by the hexagonal lattice of the Eisenstein integers. [1]

Estimates

It is known that [2]

A stronger estimate due to Hans Frederick Blichfeldt [3] is [4]

where is the gamma function.

See also

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References

  1. Cassels (1971) p. 36
  2. Kitaoka (1993) p. 36
  3. Blichfeldt, H. F. (1929). "The minimum value of quadratic forms, and the closest packing of spheres". Math. Ann. 101: 605–608. doi:10.1007/bf01454863. JFM   55.0721.01. S2CID   123648492.
  4. Kitaoka (1993) p. 42