Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2608.29750

The S-matrix conjecture

Yinjie Li
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Harwit and Sloane conjectured that every nonsingular entrywise-nonnegative matrix $A\in\mathbb R^{n\times n}$ satisfies $\|A^{-1}\|_F\ge 2n(n+1)^{-1}\|A\|_{\max}^{-1}$, with equality precisely for positive multiples of $S$-matrices. Cheng proved the conjecture in odd dimensions, while Frankel and Urschel proved the even-dimensional case for $n\ge1000$. We complete the remaining even-dimensional cases. Starting from the structural identities in Frankel--Urschel Lemma 2.1, we derive an exact global defect budget and combine binary rounding with Gram projection. A refined ten-row obstruction handles every even $n\ge66$; a finite exact calculation handles $4\le n\le64$, $n\ne6$; and a separate multi-column energy argument treats $n=6$. The order-two case follows from a direct calculation. The new even-dimensional proof has been formalized in Lean 4, with Frankel--Urschel Lemma 2.1 as its sole external mathematical input. Together with Cheng's odd-dimensional theorem, this proves the S-matrix conjecture in every dimension.

Explore related subjects

math.CO

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Yinjie Li. 2026-08-30. The S-matrix conjecture. https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.29750

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

On nut graphs with two vertex and three edge orbits

Nut graphs are graphs whose adjacency matrix is singular with one-dimensional null space spanned by a vector with no zero entries. In a recent paper, Bašić, Fowler and Pisanski proved that the automorphism group of a nut graph has more orbits on the edge set than on the vertex set. They classified all orders for which a vertex-transitive nut graph with precisely two edge orbits exists, and conjectured that a nut graph with two vertex and three edge orbits exists for each non-prime order $n \ge 9$. Motivated by this conjecture, we introduce a very general construction that provides graphs with the desired symmetry properties, and we determine some sufficient spectral and structural conditions under which they are nut graphs. The construction yields infinite families of examples and confirms the above conjecture for all odd non-prime orders up to $2\,500$ and for at least $99.8$ percent of all odd non-prime orders up to a million. Finally, we present some additional interesting examples of nut graphs with two vertex and three edge orbits that do not arise from this construction.

math.CO↗
arXiv2026

On vertex-minimal simplicial maps to the sphere

For positive integers $n,d$, let $λ(n,d)$ be the minimal number of vertices of a triangulation of the $n$-sphere which admits a degree $d$ simplicial map onto the boundary of the $(n+1)$-simplex. We show that for $h=\lfloor\frac{n+1}2\rfloor$, the function $λ(n,d)^h$ has linear order of growth in $d$, answering a question of O. Musin. All triangulations we obtained are isomorphic to boundaries of convex polytopes in $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$.

math.CO↗