On monochromatic solutions to \(x-y=z^2\) (Q2220976)

For \(k\in\mathbb{N}\), write \(S(k)\) for the largest natural number such that there is a \(k\)-colouring of \(\{1,\dots, S(k)\}\) with no monochromatic solution to \(x-y =z^2\). That \(S(k)\) exists is a result of \textit{V. Bergelson} [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 43, 338--343 (1986; Zbl 0607.10040)], and a simple example shows that \(S(k)\geq 2^{2^{k-1}}\). The purpose of this note is to show that \(S(k)\leq 2^{2^{2^{O(k)}}}\).