Composite integers \(n\) for which \(\varphi (n)\mid n-1\) (Q2465548)

In this short but interesting note, the authors return to a question of \textit{D. H. Lehmer} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 38, 745--751 (1932; Zbl 0005.34302 and JFM 58.0158.01)] asking if there are any \textit{composite} integers \(n\in \mathbb N\) for which \(\varphi\mid n-1\) where \(\varphi(n)\) as usual denotes Euler's function. Up to now the answer is not known. Here the authors improve earlier results by \textit{C. Pomerance} [Pac. J. Math. 69, 177--186 (1977; Zbl 0328.10006)] and by \textit{Z. Shan} [J. China Univ. Sci. Technol. 15, 109--112 (1985; Zbl 0599.10005)]. They show that the number of composite integers \(n \leq x\) such that \(\varphi (n)\mid n-1\) is at most \(O(x ^{1/2}(\log \log x)^{1/2})\).