Geometric sequences and zero-free region of the zeta function (Q1701499)

Let \(\mathcal N\) be the linear space of functions \(\sum_{k=1}^n a_k\rho(\theta_k /x)\), with the conditions \[ \sum_{k=1}^n a_k\theta_k =0,\quad 0<\theta_k \leq 1. \] Here \(\rho(x)\) denotes the fractional part of \(x\). The author proves the following zero-free region: Let \(0<\delta<0.043\), and suppose that \(f\in \chi_d\) and \(\varepsilon = \|\chi - f\|_\infty\), where \(\chi_d := {f\in \overline{\mathcal N} : f(x) = 1 \text{ for }\delta < x < 1\,}\), and \(\overline{\mathcal N} \) is the closure of \(\mathcal N\) in \(L^2(0,1)\). Then \(\zeta(\sigma+it)\) does not vanish for \[ |t| < \frac{\pi}{4e^{2\pi}\varepsilon \delta^\sigma}. \] This is a wider zero-free region than the one obtained by \textit{L. Báez-Duarte} [Adv. Math. 101, No. 1, 10--30 (1993; Zbl 0795.11035)]. While Baéz-Duarte used the \(L^p\)-norm, the present author uses the \(L^\infty\)-norm.