Geometry of homogeneous polynomials on two-dimensional real Hilbert spaces (Q1827112)

The author characterises the extreme points of the unit ball in the space of four-homogeneous polynomials on two-dimensional real Hilbert space. Specifically, he shows that a two-homogeneous polynomial \(P\) of norm 1 on two-dimensional real Hilbert space is an extreme point if and only if either \(P(x)=\| x\| ^4\) or for every orthonormal basis relative to which \(P\) can be written as \(P(x)=x_1^4+6bx_1x_1^2x_2^2+4cx_1x_2^3+dx_2^4\) then \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) satisfy either (i) \(b=(4\sqrt{(1-d)/2}-3)/3\), \(c=\pm2\sqrt{(1-d)/2}\sqrt{1-\sqrt{(1-d)/2}}\) and \(d\in [-1,1]\) or (ii) \(b=(-1-\sqrt{2d+2})/3\), \(c=0\) and \(d\in [-1,1]\). The author previously characterised the extreme points of the space of three-homogeneous polynomials on two-dimensional real Hilbert space [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 246, 217--229 (2000; Zbl 0960.46031)]. More generally, if \(n\) is an odd (resp. even) integer and \(P\) is an \(n\)-homogeneous polynomial of norm \(1\) on two-dimensional real Hilbert space which satisfies \(| P(x)| =1\) at \(n+1\) (resp. \(n+2\)) distinct points, then \(P\) is an extreme point. Examples of such polynomials are given. The results show that there are four-homogeneous polynomials on two-dimensional real Hilbert space of norm \(1\) which are neither extreme nor smooth, while the polynomials \(P(x)=x_1^4+2x_1^2x_2^2-x_2^4\) and \(P(x)=x_1^4-2x_1^2x_2^2-x_2^4\) are simultaneously extreme and smooth.