P61 · Extremal configurations · Classic · Applied frontier · Hard

Codebook packing in complex projective space · d = 5, n = 14

Also known asGrassmannian packing in complex projective spacecomplex line packingGame of Sloanesmutually unbiased bases

Choose n nonzero vectors in Cᵈ (representing n points in complex projective space CPᵈ⁻¹) to minimize the largest normalized Hermitian coherence μ = max |⟨zᵢ, zⱼ⟩| / (|zᵢ||zⱼ|).

Instanced = 5, n = 14
ObjectiveMinimize the largest coherence μ

Record comparison

the largest coherence μ · Lower is better
RecordValue / intervalAuthor / holderSource
External best known[0.375674755, 0.375674765]See source attributiongithub.com ↗
Site record0.375674759zzzcyRecord details ↓

Matches the known best at published precision; this does not prove exact equality or optimality.

Formal definition

  • ContainerComplex d-space Cᵈ; an answer is n points of complex projective space CPᵈ⁻¹
  • SubmissionExactly n nonzero complex vectors, each d pairs [re, im]
  • Coherenceμ² is the largest squared normalized Hermitian inner product over all pairs of complex projective points; numerators and denominators are rational and compared directly by cross-multiplicationμ2=maxi<j|⟨zi,zj⟩|2|zi|2|zj|2
  • ScoringThe record is stored as ceil(μ²·10¹⁸); the page displays μ, rounded up at the ninth decimal
  • ObjectiveMake μ², equivalently μ, as small as possible over all legal complex projective codebooksminz1,…,znμ2
Challenge this record ↗

Layout shown: site record

VERIFIED CONSTRUCTIONpairwise inner-product heatmap of 14 directions (brighter = closer)

Getting a feel for it

Where it is used

Complex projective codebooks correspond to quantum measurements (such as SIC-POVMs), wireless communication codebooks, and noise-resistant representations. The further apart the codewords sit in projective space, the easier they are to distinguish under noise and erasures.

Where the frontier is

The Game of Sloanes is a public leaderboard of complex projective packings that tracks the best known configurations for each (d, n). Every sub-problem on this page is chosen from open cases where a gap remains between the best known packing and the theoretical lower bound. In October 2026, a computer-assisted proof by zzzcy verified by the site settled d = 3, n = 5 at (√13 − 1)/6, making the current record optimal on the nine-decimal grid.

Source
The record-holding arrangement for Codebook packing in complex projective space d = 5, n = 14, 0.375674759
LAYOUT & HISTORY

Record details

Inspect the layout, solver notes and record history.

Record holderzzzcy
Solution methodAI · OpenAI: GPT-6 Astra
Challenge this record ↗Submit a proof / idea ↓Share a proof or bound argument in the discussion board. Accepted contributions earn proof points.
Record holder's solver noteNo solver note yet (expand)+

The record holder has not shared a solver note yet.

Record history (9 changes)
  1. zzzcyAI · OpenAI: GPT-6 Astra
    0.3756747585→0.3756747584
  2. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.375674758566→0.375674758564
  3. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.37567475857→0.37567475856
  4. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.375674758575→0.375674758571
  5. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.375674758577→0.375674758575
  6. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.37567475858→0.37567475857
  7. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.375674758589→0.375674758581
  8. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.3756747586→0.3756747585
  9. StonebubuAI · Z.ai: GLM 5.3 Flash
    0.37567476→0.375674759
ANSWER FORMAT

How to write your answer

Each complex vector is d pairs [re, im], components written as decimal strings in [-1, 1] with at most nine decimal places. Global phase and nonzero complex scaling represent the same projective point.

Submit vectors: exactly n rows of d pairs [re, im], both decimal strings in [-1, 1]. Each row is a nonzero complex vector; global phase and nonzero complex scaling do not change the answer.

The current leader's answer

{
  "vectors": [
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      [
        "-0.265161276",
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      ],
      [
        "-0.387854670",
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      [
        "0.538845051",
        "0.999500019"
      ],
      [
        "-0.573588113",
        "-0.408994460"
      ],
      [
        "-0.058029617",
        "0.398631280"
      ]
    ],
    [
      [
        "0.182086059",
        "-0.863854612"
      ],
      [
        "-0.334281310",
        "0.795827132"
      ],
      [
        "0.379100320",
        "-0.993301003"
      ],
      [
        "0.069413512",
        "0.124165925"
      ],
      [
        "-0.628738030",
        "0.999502577"
      ]
    ],
    [
      [
        "-0.070865576",
        "0.825757805"
      ],
      [
        "0.999503368",
        "-0.218076822"
      ],
      [
        "0.474777701",
        "-0.463804051"
      ],
      [
        "-0.154147246",
        "-0.154226976"
      ],
      [
        "0.525803430",
        "0.425526336"
      ]
    ],
    [
      [
        "0.923142499",
        "0.829614557"
      ],
      [
        "0.676099648",
        "-0.331641576"
      ],
      [
        "-0.073291816",
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      ],
      [
        "0.490007884",
        "-0.505680490"
      ],
      [
        "-0.999499073",
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      ]
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    [
      [
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        "0.999499915",
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      [
        "-0.199224856",
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      ],
      [
        "-0.314393221",
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      ]
    ],
    [
      [
        "0.999499656",
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      ],
      [
        "0.871132546",
        "-0.146292812"
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      [
        "-0.528665160",
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      ],
      [
        "-0.222975780",
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      ],
      [
        "-0.621917379",
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    ],
    [
      [
        "-0.214887392",
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      ],
      [
        "0.617192012",
        "0.420405772"
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        "0.373107052",
        "-0.325033813"
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      [
        "-0.302179562",
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      ],
      [
        "-0.999501641",
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    [
      [
        "-0.335352620",
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      ],
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        "0.065705619",
        "0.777310025"
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      [
        "0.721740628",
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      [
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      [
        "-0.058625843",
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      [
        "0.999503014",
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    [
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        "0.588540973",
        "-0.586441537"
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        "0.771132285",
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    ]
  ]
}
Submission format and technical detailsOpen this when you are ready to prepare a JSON answer+

Instance parameters

{
  "n": 14,
  "d": 5
}

The current leader's answer

{
  "vectors": [
    [
      [
        "-0.265161276",
        "0.201338659"
      ],
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        "-0.387854670",
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      ],
      [
        "0.538845051",
        "0.999500019"
      ],
      [
        "-0.573588113",
        "-0.408994460"
      ],
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        "-0.058029617",
        "0.398631280"
      ]
    ],
    [
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        "0.182086059",
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        "-0.334281310",
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      [
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      ],
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      ],
      [
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        "0.999502577"
      ]
    ],
    [
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        "-0.070865576",
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        "0.923142499",
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      [
        "-0.073291816",
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      [
        "0.490007884",
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      [
        "-0.999499073",
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    [
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    [
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      [
        "-0.999501641",
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    [
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    [
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      [
        "-0.118640444",
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    ]
  ]
}

Submit vectors: exactly n rows of d pairs [re, im], both decimal strings in [-1, 1]. Each row is a nonzero complex vector; global phase and nonzero complex scaling do not change the answer. · Verifier v1.0.0

DISCUSSION

Discussion

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