The complex Lorentzian Leech lattice and the bimonster (Q875074)

Let \(L\) be the (indefinite) even unimodular \(28\)-dimensional lattice \(\text{II}_{2,26}\), viewed as a \(14\)-dimen\-sional Hermitian Lorentzian lattice over the ring of Eisenstein integers. Given any vector \(v \in L\) of negative norm, one defines the reflection in \(v\) to be the linear transformation that multiplies \(v\) by a cubic root of unity and fixes every vector orthogonal to \(v\). These reflections generate the reflection subgroup \(R(L)\) of the full automorphism group \(\Aut(L)\). Modulo scalars, \(R(L)\) is one of the complex hyperbolic reflection groups studied by \textit{D. Allcock} in [``The Leech lattice and complex hyperbolic reflections,'' Invent. Math. 140, 283--301 (2000; Zbl 1012.11053)]. The author finds 16 reflections that generate \(\Aut(L)\); in particular, \(R(L) =\Aut(L)\). These 16 reflections satisfy relations encoded by the diagram \(M_{666}\) (also known as \(Y_{555}\)): two different reflections \(a,b\) braid, i.e. \(aba = bab\), if they are joined, and commute otherwise. It was proved by A. Ivanov and J. H. Conway and C. S. Simons that the bimonster has a presentation by \(16\) involutions, with Coxeter relations of this diagram. The observed numerical analogy between \(\Aut(L)\) and the bimonster still needs to be explained. Reviewer's remark: The citations [1]--[3] in the paper should have listed D. Allcock as the author, not J. A. Allcock.