Optimality conjecture for vanishing orders of Witten zeta functions

Let GG be a compact simply connected Lie group identified with its root system Φ\Phi, and write ζΦ(s):=ζG(s)\zeta_\Phi(s):=\zeta_G(s). For negative even integers, the theorem states

ords2N(ζΦ(s))Rank(Φ).\underset{s \in -2\mathbb{N}}{\operatorname{ord}}(\zeta_\Phi(s))\geq \operatorname{Rank}(\Phi).

For negative odd integers, it states

ords12N(ζΦ(s)){n2Φ=An,1Φ=Dn with n5 and odd,2Φ=E6,0otherwise.\underset{s \in 1-2\mathbb{N}}{\operatorname{ord}}(\zeta_\Phi(s))\geq \begin{cases} \left\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \right\rfloor & \Phi=A_n,\\ 1 & \Phi=D_n\text{ with }n\geq 5\text{ and odd},\\ 2 & \Phi=E_6,\\ 0 & \text{otherwise}. \end{cases}

Optimality conjecture. In the theorem, all stated inequalities for orders of vanishing are actually equalities. The theorem establishes the displayed lower bounds for compact simply connected Lie groups; the conjecture asserts that none of these bounds can be improved.

Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Kam Cheong Au, “Vanishing of Witten zeta function at negative integers”, arXiv:2412.11879 (2026).

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