Three-dimensional sets with small sumset (Q949801)

The author studies an inverse problem on set addition of three-dimensional lattice points: Let \(K\) be a finite subset of \(\mathbb{Z}^3\) of affine dimension three. If \(| K+K| < \frac{13}{3} | K | - \frac{25}{3}\) and \(| K |>12^3\), then \(K\) lies on three parallel lines. Moreover, if \(K\) lies on three parallel lines, and \(| K+K| < 5 | K | - 10\), then \(K\) is contained in three arithmetic progressions with the same common difference, having together no more than \(| K+K| -3 | K|+6\) terms. Examples are given that the results are essentially best possible. Results of this type were asked for by Freiman in (paragraph 29 of \textit{G. A. Freiman} [Astérisque. 258, 1--33 (1999; Zbl 0958.11008)].