The Markoff-Hurwitz equations over number fields (Q2566518)

Let \(R\) be an order in a number field \(K\), and let \(M_{a,n}(R)\) be the set of \(R\)-integral solutions of the Markoff-Hurwitz equation \(x^2_1+x^2_2+\cdots +x^2_n=ax_1x_2\dots x_n\), where \(a\in R\), \(a\neq 0\) and \(n\geq 3\). \(M_{a,n}(R)\) can be expressed as the orbit of a fundamental set of solutions \(F_{a,n}(R)\) under the action of a group of automorphisms \(A_{a,n}(R)\). Hurwitz showed that \(F_{a,n}(\mathbb Z)\) is always finite. Silverman showed that \(F_{a,3}(R)\) is often infinite if the group of units \(R^*\) in \(R\) is infinite. In this paper, the author shows that if \(R^*\) is infinite and \(K\) has a real imbedding, then \(F_{a,n}(R)\) is either empty or infinite. He also shows that if \(K\) is totally complex and \(n\geq 6\), then \(F_{a,n}(R)\) is infinite.