Local formulas for Ehrhart coefficients from lattice tiles (Q2292908)

Let \(V\) be a Euclidean space of dimension \(d\), let \(\Lambda\) be a lattice of full rank in \(V\), and suppose that \({\mathcal P}\) is a lattice polytope, that is, the convex hull of finitely many points from \(\Lambda\). The Ehrhart polynomial \[ E_{\mathcal P}(t) := |t{\mathcal P}\cap\Lambda|=e_d t^d+e_{d-1}t^{d-1}+\cdots+e_1 t+e_0 \] provides the number of lattice points in \(t{\mathcal P}\) for \(t\in {\mathbb N}_0\). It is known that its coefficients have representations analogous to those for intrinsic volumes of polytopes, namely \[ e_i = \sum_{f\in{\mathcal F}_i({\mathcal P})} \mu(N_f)\mathrm{vol}(f) \] for \(i\in\{0,\dots,d\}\), where the sum extends over all \(i\)-faces of \({\mathcal P}\), the set \(N_f\) is the normal cone of \({\mathcal P}\) at its face \(f\), and \(\mathrm{vol}(f)\) is the relative (or lattice) volume of \(f\). The function \(\mu\), defined on rational cones in \(V\), is here called a local formula for Ehrhart coefficients if the preceding relation holds. The existence of such functions \(\mu\) was shown by \textit{P. McMullen} [Arch. Math. 41, 555--564 (1983; Zbl 0526.52003)]. They are far from being unique, and different representations have been given in the literature. The present paper develops a new infinite class of local formulas for Ehrhart coefficients. The construction, though involved, can be considered as elementary. In contrast to other constructions, the approach does not rely on simplicial or unimodular triangulations of cones, but is based on choices of fundamental domains in sublattices, corresponding lattice tilings, and volume computation. The authors mention as an open question whether their functions \(\mu\) are valuations.