Lattice points in large convex bodies (Q5905454)

Let \(B\) be a compact convex subset of \(\mathbb{R}^s\) which has a smooth boundary with non-zero Gaussian curvature, and put \(A(t)=\#\{x\in\mathbb{Z}^s: t^{-1/2}x\in B\}\). It is easy to find an asymptotic formula for \(A(t)\) with main term \(\operatorname{vol}(B)t^{s/2}\). The authors are concerned with the size of the error term \(P(t)=A(t)-\text{main term}\). A classical result of \textit{E. Hlawka} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 187, 246--252 (1950; Zbl 0036.30901)] provides the estimate \(P(t)\ll t^\lambda\) where \(\lambda=\tfrac{1}{2}\frac{s(s-1)}{s+1}\), whereas here it is shown that one may take \[ \lambda=\frac{3s^2 - 5s + 3}{6s + 2}\quad (s\geq 8);\quad \lambda=\frac{7s^2 - 10s + 4}{14s+8}\quad (3\leq s\leq 7). \] The best result in dimension \(s=2\) is due to Huxley and gives \(\lambda=7/22\) (up to logarithms). However, unlike Huxley's work, the method used here does not depend on the modern discrete circle method but combines Hlawka's approach with more straightforward estimates for exponential sums. As the authors point out, there are further possible improvements, at the cost of complications.