On Length Spectra of Lattices

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study Schmutz Schaller's conjecture that in dimensions 2 to 8 the lattices with the best sphere packings have maximal lengths. This means that the distinct norms which occur in these lattices are greater than those of any other lattice in the same dimension with the same covolume. Although the statement holds asymptotically we explicitly present a counter-example. However, it seems that there is nothing but this exception.