Covering large-dimensional Euclidean spaces by random translates of a given convex body

TL;DR

This paper constructs high-density Euclidean space coverings with controlled multiplicity, improving bounds on covering density and multiplicity, and analyzes the limitations of existing random covering methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of near-optimal coverings with bounded multiplicity and shows the failure of current random methods below a certain density threshold.

Findings

Achieves coverings with density (1/2+o(1))n log n and multiplicity at most (1.79556+o(1))n log n.

Proves existing random covering methods cannot reach densities below (1/2+o(1))n log n.

Identifies cubes as the worst-case convex bodies for random covering densities.

Abstract

Determining the minimum density of a covering of $\mathbb{R}^{n}$ by Euclidean unit balls as $n\to\infty$ is a major open problem, with the best known results being the lower bound of $\left(\mathrm{e}^{-3/2}+o(1)\right)n$ by Coxeter, Few and Rogers [Mathematika 6, 1959] and the upper bound of $\left(1/2+o(1) \right)n \ln n$ by Dumer [Discrete Comput. Geom. 38, 2007]. We prove that there are ball coverings of $\mathbb{R}^n$ attaining the asymptotically best known density $\left(1/2+o(1) \right)n \ln n$ such that, additionally, every point of $\mathbb{R}^n$ is covered at most $\left(1.79556... + o(1)\right) n \ln n$ times. This strengthens the result of Erd\H{o}s and Rogers [Acta Arith. 7, 1961/62] who had the maximum multiplicity at most $\left(\mathrm{e} + o(1)\right) n \ln n$. On the other hand, we show that the method that was used for the best known ball coverings (when one takes a random subset of centres in a fundamental domain of a suitable lattice in $\mathbb{R}^n$ and extends this periodically) fails to work if the density is less than $(1/2+o(1))n\ln n$; in fact, this result remains true if we replace the ball by any convex body $K$. Also, we observe that a ``worst'' convex body $K$ here is a cube, for which the packing density coming from random constructions is only $(1+o(1))n\ln n$.