Density Gap Conjecture for finite triangular-torus packings

Let nn be a positive integer. An integer is a triangular lattice number if it has the form

n12+n1n2+n22n_1^2+n_1n_2+n_2^2

for integers n1,n2n_1,n_2. Let δΔ\delta_{\Delta} denote the maximal density of the triangular packing, so that

δΔ=π12.\delta_{\Delta}=\frac{\pi}{\sqrt{12}}.

Density Gap Conjecture. If n+1n+1 is a triangular lattice number but nn is not, then the most dense packing of nn equal disks in the triangular torus has density

δ=nn+1δΔ=nn+1π12,\delta=\frac{n}{n+1}\delta_{\Delta}=\frac{n}{n+1}\frac{\pi}{\sqrt{12}},

and this density is achieved only by the triangular packing with one disk removed.

The conjecture gives a finite-torus formulation of the solidity question: the density gap would rule out rearrangements improving on the one-disk-deleted triangular packing. The paper states that it implies Fejes Toth's conjecture and provides evidence, but no proof.

Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Robert Connelly and William Dickinson, “Periodic Planar Disk Packings”, arXiv:1201.5965 (2013).

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