Exponential sums formed with the Möbius function (Q2312701)

In the paper under review, the best possible estimates for the exponential sums \[ S_k(x,\theta):=\sum_{n\leqslant x} \mu(n)\exp(2\pi i n^k\theta)\quad (\theta \text{ real}, k\text{ a positive integer}) \] are investigated, assuming the Generalised Riemann Hypothesis. The first result in this direction harks back do \textit{H. Davenport} [Q. J. Math., Oxf. Ser. 8, 313--320 (1937; JFM 63.0906.01)], who showed, using Vinogradov's method, that \[ \max_{\theta}|S_1(x,\theta)|\ll_A \frac{x}{\log^Ax } \] for any \( A\geqslant 0. \) The work of \textit{R. C. Baker} and \textit{G. Harman} in this direction [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 43, No. 2, 193--198 (1991; Zbl 0685.10027)] was later improved and generalised by \textit{T. Zhan} and \textit{J. Y. Liu} [Indag. Math., New Ser. 7, No. 2, 271--278 (1996; Zbl 0858.11043)] which was later improved by \textit{X. He} and \textit{B. Huang} [Acta Arith. 175, No. 3, 201--209 (2016; Zbl 1369.11059)]. Each of the above-mentioned works proves a result of the following type: If for every Dirichlet character \( \chi, \) the Dirichlet \( L \)-function \( L(s,\chi) \) does not vanish for \( \Re(s) >a\) with \( 1/2\leqslant a<1 \) then \[ \max_{\theta}|S_k(x,\theta)|\ll_{k,\varepsilon} x^{b_k+\varepsilon} \] where \( b_k \) is a certain (explicitly described) function of \( a. \) In this paper, the authors obtain the best possible values for \( b_k \) (for \( k\geqslant 3 \)) in terms of \( a, \) giving a further improvement to the work of \textit{X. He} and \textit{B. Huang} [Acta Arith. 175, No. 3, 201--209 (2016; Zbl 1369.11059)]. This improvement is made possible by the recent progress, due to \textit{J. Bourgain} et al. [Ann. Math. (2) 184, No. 2, 633--682 (2016; Zbl 1408.11083)], on the Vinogradov mean value theorem.