Prehomogeneous vector spaces and ergodic theory. I (Q1387862): Difference between revisions

The Oppenheim conjecture on integral values of non-degenerate indefinite quadratic forms in \(n\geq 3\) variables has attracted extensive investigations by Chowla, Birch, Davenport, Heilbronn, Oppenheim, Ridout etc., resulting in verification of the conjecture for \(n\geq 21\), and partial results for a smaller number of variables. Finally, in 1986--87 Margulis proved the conjecture in full generality. The method of Davenport and others is based on the circle method. However, the proof of Margulis is based on ergodic theory. In this paper, the author has considered a problem analogous to Oppenheim's conjecture from the viewpoint of prehomogeneous vector spaces. The main result is as follows: \[ \text{Let } H_1= \left( \begin{matrix} 1 & \;& \;\\ & 1 & \;\\ & & -1 \end{matrix}\right), \] \[ W_{0R}= \bigl\{X\in M(3,3)_R \mid tr(X)= 0\bigr\}, \] \[ W_{1R} =\bigl\{ X\in Sl(3)_{\subset} \mid H^t_1\overline X+X H_1= 0\bigr\}, \] \[ Q_0(X)= \text{tr} (X^2),\;F_0(X) =\text{det}(X) \text{ for } X\in W_{0R} \] \[ Q_1(X)= \text{tr} (X^2),\;F_1(X)= \sqrt{-1} \text{det}(X)\text{ for } X\in W_{1R}. \] Let \(i=0\) or 1 and \(g\in \text{GL} (W_i)_R\). Then if \(Q_i(gX)\) is an irrational quadratic form, the set of values of \(F_i(gX)\) at primitive integer points is dense in \(R\).