The arithmetic chair

The Chair of Number Theory at EPFL delves into the mysteries of numbers and geometric objects, focusing on topics such as automorphic forms, harmonic analysis, packing problems, and optimal configurations of points. Their research group works on solving classical problems and developing new conceptual frameworks. Recent achievements include exact semidefinite programming bounds for packing problems, dense superball packings in three dimensions, and the universal optimality of the E8 and Leech lattices. The unit actively participates in seminars and workshops, such as the Groups, Arithmetic and Algebraic Geometry Seminar and the Oberwolfach workshop on Automorphic Forms and Arithmetic. Additionally, they organize events like the Summer School on Optimization, Interpolation, and Modular Forms, where experts share insights on optimization, packing, and ground states.