Lehmer's conjecture for matrices over the ring of integers of some imaginary quadratic fields (Q765149): Difference between revisions

If \(g(x)\) is a monic polynomial of degree \(n\) with integer coefficients, its associated reciprocal polynomial is the polynomial \(z^n g(z+1/z)\) of degree \(2n\). If \(R = {\mathbb Q}(\sqrt d)\) and \(A\) is a Hermitian matrix with entries in \(R\) define the Mahler measure \(M(A)\) of \(A\) to be the Mahler measure of the associated reciprocal polynomial of the characteristic polynomial of A. Continuing the work of \textit{J. McKee} and \textit{C. Smyth} [Algebra 317, No. 1, 260--290 (2007; Zbl 1140.15007)], the author shows that if \(d < 0\) and \(d \not = -1, -3\) then \(M(A) = 1\) or else \(M(A) \geq \lambda_0\), where \(\lambda_0\) is Lehmer's number, the largest positive zero of \(z^{10} + z^9 - z^7-z^6-z^5-z^4-z^3+z+1\). The proof in fact shows that any such \(A\) with small enough Mahler measure in fact has integer entries and then one can apply the theorem of McKee and Smyth. The proof requires a systematic examination of a number of special situations for which a variety of useful techniques is developed.