Lattice packings with gap defects are not completely saturated (Q1875921)

A packing of unit spheres in \({\mathbb R}^n\) is \(k\)-saturated if it is not possible to replace \(k-1\) spheres by \(k\) spheres and still have a packing, and completely saturated if it is \(k\)-saturated for every \(k\). Considering the honeycomb packing in \({\mathbb R}^2\) and the fcc packing in \({\mathbb R}^3\) with linear (resp. planar) gap, the authors prove that rearrangement of finitely many circles (spheres) is possible to ensure enough space for a new circle (sphere). This means that such packings are not completely saturated. Some open questions in this area are listed.