On the maximal dimension of Lorentz lattices with cofinite reflection group (Q678403): Difference between revisions

The author studies integral lattices \(L\) on a real quadratic space of signature \((n,1)\) such that the reflection subgroup \(W(L)\) of \(O(L)\) is cofinite, i.e., of finite index in \(O(L)\). By \textit{Eh. B. Vinberg} [Trans. Mosc. Math. Soc. 1985, 75-112 (1985); translation from Tr. Mosk. Mat. O.-va 47, 68-102 (1984; Zbl 0593.22007)], the dimension \(n+1\) must be smaller than 31, while by \textit{R. Borcherds} [J. Algebra 111, 133-153 (1987; Zbl 0628.20003)], the even sublattice of the self-dual lattice of signature \((21,1)\) gives an example. The main theorem of this paper says that the dimension 22 of this example actually is the maximal one. The author uses the following lemma of Vinberg: Let \(N\) be a 1-dimensional isotropic sublattice of \(L\), and \(N'\) the section orthogonal to \(N\), so that \(M=N'/N\) becomes an integral positive definite lattice. Then, if \(W(L)\) is cofinite, \(M\) must be reflective in the sense that its root system generates a sublattice of the same dimension. The proof of the theorem is a detailed study of this property and leads through many specific genera of euclidean lattices.