Energy, Polarization, and Separation of Greedy Sequences for Riesz and Green Kernels
Pith reviewed 2026-05-10 11:38 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Greedy sequences on the sphere achieve optimal second-order growth in Riesz and Green energies for d-2 ≤ s < d.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
We show that the greedy sequence attains optimal growth behavior for the second-order term of the Green and Riesz s-energies when d-2 ≤ s < d. The main idea is to establish the bounds on polarization using well-separation properties of the greedy configurations.
What carries the argument
Well-separation properties of the greedy configurations, which enable derivation of polarization bounds that control the second-order energy asymptotics.
If this is right
- Greedy sequences attain the optimal second-order term in the energy expansion for the specified range of s.
- Polarization bounds follow directly from the established separation of greedy points.
- The result applies equally to Riesz s-energies and Green energies on the sphere.
- The second-order growth matches that of other known near-optimal constructions.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- Greedy constructions may become a standard practical tool for generating low-energy point sets without full optimization.
- The separation technique could extend to analyze sequential point placement on other compact manifolds.
- Energy growth rates from this method might yield explicit bounds on related quantities like spherical discrepancy.
Load-bearing premise
The well-separation properties of the greedy configurations can be established and then used to derive the required polarization bounds for the energy asymptotics.
What would settle it
Numerical computation of the second-order coefficient in the energy expansion for a large greedy sequence that exceeds the known minimal value, or a demonstration that the separation bound fails for some s in d-2 ≤ s < d.
read the original abstract
We investigate the asymptotic behavior of greedy $s$-Riesz and Green energy sequences $\{x_{n}\}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ on the unit sphere $\mathbb{S}^{d} \subset \mathbb{R}^{d+1}$, where each point $x_n$ is defined as the minimizer of the discrete potential generated by the preceding points $x_1, x_2, ..., x_{n-1}$. We show that the greedy sequence attains optimal growth behavior for the second-order term of the Green and Riesz $s$-energies when $d-2 \leq s < d$. The main idea is to establish the bounds on polarization using well-separation properties of the greedy configurations.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper examines the asymptotic behavior of greedy sequences minimizing discrete s-Riesz and Green energies on the unit sphere S^d in R^{d+1}. Each point x_n is chosen to minimize the potential due to the previous points. The central claim is that these greedy sequences achieve the optimal second-order growth term in the energy asymptotics precisely when d-2 ≤ s < d. The argument proceeds by first proving well-separation of the greedy point sets and then using that separation to obtain the required polarization bounds.
Significance. If the separation estimates are established rigorously, the result would confirm that greedy algorithms attain the same second-order energy asymptotics as known optimal configurations (e.g., Fekete points) in the indicated range of s. This supplies theoretical support for the use of greedy constructions in numerical minimization of Riesz and Green energies and strengthens the link between separation properties and polarization control in potential theory on spheres.
minor comments (3)
- The abstract states that separation implies polarization bounds, but the manuscript should include a brief self-contained statement of the precise separation constant (or its dependence on s and d) before invoking it in the polarization step.
- Notation for the Green kernel versus the Riesz kernel should be unified or clearly contrasted in the introduction, especially when both are treated simultaneously for the same range of s.
- The statement of the main theorem would benefit from an explicit reference to the known optimal second-order constant (from the literature) against which the greedy energy is compared.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the positive summary, recognition of the significance of the results, and recommendation for minor revision. We are pleased that the connection between separation properties and polarization control is viewed as strengthening the link to potential theory on spheres.
Circularity Check
No significant circularity detected
full rationale
The paper establishes well-separation properties of the greedy point configurations on the sphere and then applies those bounds to control polarization, from which the second-order asymptotics of the Riesz and Green energies follow for d-2 ≤ s < d. This is a standard forward derivation that begins from the definition of the greedy sequence and the kernel properties; no target quantity is fitted to data and then renamed as a prediction, no load-bearing premise reduces to a self-citation chain, and no ansatz or uniqueness claim is smuggled in by redefinition. The derivation remains independent of its own outputs.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (2)
- standard math Standard analytic properties of the Riesz s-kernel and Green kernel on the unit sphere
- domain assumption Well-separation of points in the greedy sequence
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
A. Anderson, M. Dostert, P.J. Grabner, R.W. Matzke, T.A. Stepaniuk,Riesz and Green energy on projective spaces. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. Series B, (2023), 1039–1076. doi:10.1090/btran/161. 1.5
-
[2]
G. Ambrus, K.M. Ball, T. Erd´ elyi, Chebyshev constants for the unit circle. Bull. Lond. Math. Soc., 45(2):236–248,
-
[3]
8.1 24 DMITRIY BILYK, LIUDMYLA KRYVONOS, RYAN W. MATZKE, AND EDWARD SAFF
-
[4]
T. Aubin, Some Nonlinear Problems in Riemannian Geometry, Springer Monographs in Mathematics, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1998. 1.5
work page 1998
-
[5]
J. Baglama, D. Calvetti, L. Reichel.Fast Leja points. Electron. Trans. Numer. Anal.7, 124–140 (1998). 1.1
work page 1998
-
[6]
J. Beck, W.W.L. Chen,Irregularities of Distribution. Cambridge Tracts in Mathematics, vol. 89 (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008). Reprint of the 1987 original. 9.2
work page 2008
-
[7]
C. Beltr´ an,Harmonic properties of the logaithmic potential and the computability of elliptic Fekete pointsConstr. Approx.37, 135–165 (2013) 6
work page 2013
-
[8]
C. Beltr´ an, N. Corral, J.G. Criado del Rey, Discrete and continuous Green energy on compact manifolds: J. Approx. Theory 237, 160–185 (2019) 1.5
work page 2019
-
[9]
C. Beltr´ an, V. de la Torre, F. Lizarte, Lower Bound for the Green Energy of Point Configurations in Harmonic Manifolds. Potential Analysis, 61, 247-261 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11118-023-10108-2 1.5
-
[10]
Constr Approx 58, 565–587 (2023)
Beltr´ an, Lizarte, A Lower Bound for the Logarithmic Energy onS2 and for the Green Energy on Sn. Constr Approx 58, 565–587 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00365-023-09642-4 1.5, 1.5, 9.1, 9.2
-
[11]
C. Beltr´ an, J. Marzo, J. Ortega-Cerd` a.Energy and discrepancy of rotationally invariant determinantal point processes in high dimensional spheres.J. Complexity37, 76–109 (2016). 1
work page 2016
-
[12]
A. L. Besse, Manifolds all of whose geodesics are closed, Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete [Results in Mathematics and Related Areas], vol. 93, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1978, With appendices by D. B. A. Epstein, J.-P. Bourguignon, L. B´ erard-Bergery, M. Berger and J. L. Kazdan. 6
work page 1978
-
[13]
L. B´ etermin, E. Sandier.Renormalized energy and asymptotic expansion of optimal logarithmic energy on the sphere. Constr. Approx.47(1), 39–74 (2018). 1
work page 2018
-
[14]
L. Bialas-Ciez, J.P. Calvi.Pseudo Leja sequences. Ann. Mat. Pura Appl.191, 53–75 (2012). 1.1, 8.2
work page 2012
-
[15]
Bj¨ orckDistributions of positive mass, which maximize a certain generalized energy integral
G. Bj¨ orckDistributions of positive mass, which maximize a certain generalized energy integral. Arkiv f¨ ur Matematik 3, 255–269 (1956). 1
work page 1956
-
[16]
S.V. Borodachov, D.P. Hardin, E.B. Saff.Discrete Energy on Rectifiable Sets. Springer Monographs in Mathematics, Springer-Verlag New York (2019). 1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2
work page 2019
-
[17]
L. Bos, S. De Marchi, A. Sommariva, M. Vianello.Computing multivariate Fekete and Leja points by numerical linear algebra, SIAM J. Numer. Anal.48, 1984-1999 (2010). 1.1
work page 1984
-
[18]
P.G. Boyvalenkov, P.D. Dragnev, D.P. Hardin, E.B. Saff, M.M. Stoyanova.On Polarization of Spherical Codes and Designs. Preprint, Arxiv:2207.08807 (2022). 1
-
[19]
J. Brauchart.About the second term of the asymptotics for optimal Riesz energy on the sphere in the potential-theoretical case. Integral Transforms Spec. Funct.17(5), 321–328 (2006). 1.4
work page 2006
-
[20]
J.S. Brauchart, P. Dragnev, E.B. Saff, Riesz external field problems on the hypersphere and optimal point separation. Potential Anal. 41(3), 647–678 (2014). 1.2, 5, 5.1, 5.1, 5.1
work page 2014
-
[21]
J.S. Brauchart, D.P. Hardin, E.B. Saff.The next-order term for optimal Riesz and logarithmic energy asymptotics on the sphere. Recent Advances in Orthogonal Polynomials, Special Functions, and Their Applications. Contemp. Math. 578, 31–61 (2012). 1.4
work page 2012
-
[22]
J.S. Brauchart, D.P. Hardin, E.B. Saff,The Riesz energy of the Nth roots of unity: an asymptotic expansion for large N. Bull. Lond. Math. Soc.41(4), 621-633 (2009). 8.1, 8.1
work page 2009
-
[23]
J.S. Brauchart, P.J. Grabner.Distributing many points on spheres: minimal energy and designs. J. Complexity31(3), 293–326 (2015). 1
work page 2015
- [24]
- [25]
-
[26]
M.A. Chkifa.On the Lebesgue constant of Leja sequences for the complex unit disk and of their real projection. J. Approx. Theory166, 176–200 (2013). 1.1
work page 2013
-
[27]
H. Cohn, A. Kumar, Universally optimal distribution of points on spheres. J. Am. Math. Soc. 20(1), 99–148 (2007) 8.3
work page 2007
-
[28]
H. Cohn, A. Kumar.Universally Optimal Distribution of Points on Spheres. Journal of the American Mathematical Society20(1), 99–148 (2007) 8.3
work page 2007
-
[29]
C. Coroian, P. Dragnev.Constrained Leja points and the numerical solution of the constrained energy problem. J. Comput. Appl. Math.131, 427–444 (2001). 1.1
work page 2001
-
[30]
van der Corput.Verteilungsfunktionen (Erste Mitteilung)
J.G. van der Corput.Verteilungsfunktionen (Erste Mitteilung). Proc. Sect. Sci. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. Amst.38, 813–821 (1935). (In German). 8.2
work page 1935
- [31]
-
[32]
S.B. Damelin, V. Maymeskul, On point energies, separation radius and mesh norm for s-extremal configurations on compact sets inR n. J. Complex. 21(6), 845–863 (2005) 1.2, 5, 5.3
work page 2005
-
[33]
De Marchi.On Leja sequences: some results and applications
S. De Marchi.On Leja sequences: some results and applications. Appl. Math. Comput.152, 621–647 (2004). 1.1
work page 2004
-
[34]
Juan G. Criado del Rey, On the separation distance of minimal Green energy points on compact Riemannian manifolds, 2019, arXiv: Differential Geometry, https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:119146709. 1.5, 4, 4.2, 4
work page 2019
-
[35]
A. Edrei.Sur les d´ eterminants r´ ecurrents et les singularit´ es d’une fonction donn´ ee par son d´ eveloppement de Taylor. Compos. Math.7, 20–88 (1940). (In French). 1.1
work page 1940
- [36]
- [37]
- [38]
-
[39]
G´ orski.Les suites de points extr´ emaux li´ es aux ensembles dans l’espace ` a 3 dimensions
J. G´ orski.Les suites de points extr´ emaux li´ es aux ensembles dans l’espace ` a 3 dimensions. Ann. Polon. Math.4, 14–20 (1957). (In French). 1.1
work page 1957
-
[40]
G¨ otz.On the distribution of Leja-G´ orski points
M. G¨ otz.On the distribution of Leja-G´ orski points. J. Comp. Anal. App.3, 223–241 (2001). 1.1
work page 2001
-
[41]
P. Grabner, T. Stepaniuk.Comparison of probablistic and deterministic point sets. J. Approx. Theory239, 128–143 (2019). 1
work page 2019
-
[42]
B. Gustafsson, J. Roos,Partial balayage on Riemannian manifolds. Journal de Math´ ematiques Pures et Appliqu´ ees, Volume 118, 2018, Pages 82-127. 4
work page 2018
-
[43]
D.P. Hardin, E.B. Saff.Minimal Riesz energy point configurations for rectifiable d-dimensional manifolds. Adv. Math. 193(1), 174–204 (2005). 1
work page 2005
-
[44]
Heywood P. W. K. Hayman and P. B. Kennedy, Subharmonic functions Vol. 1 (London Mathematical Society Monographs No 9, Academic Press, London, 1976), xvii+284 pp. 2
work page 1976
-
[45]
D.P. Hardin, A.P. Kendall, E.B. Saff.Polarization optimality of equally spaced points on the circle for discrete potentials. Discrete Comput. Geom.50, 236–243 (2013). 8.1, 8.1
work page 2013
-
[46]
Hardin, D.P., Reznikov, A., Saff, E.B., Volberg A.,Local Properties of Riesz Minimal Energy Configurations and Equilibrium Measures, International Mathematics Research Notices, Volume 2019, Issue 16, August 2019, Pages 5066–5086 1.2
work page 2019
-
[47]
P. Jantsch, C.G. Webster, G. Zhang.On the Lebesgue constant of weighted Leja points for Lagrange interpolation on unbounded domains. IMA J. Numer. Anal.39, 1039–1057 (2019). 1.1
work page 2019
- [48]
-
[49]
A.B.J. Kuijlaars, E.B. Saff.Asymptotics for minimal discrete energy on the sphere. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.350(2), 523–538 (1998). 1.2, 1.4
work page 1998
-
[50]
A. B. J. Kuijlaars, E. B. Saff, and X. Sun,On separation of minimal Riesz energy points on spheres in Euclidean spaces, J. Comput. Appl. Math., 199(1):172–180, 2007. 1.2
work page 2007
-
[51]
Lang,Introduction to Arakelov theory, New York : Springer-Verlag, (1988) 1.5
S. Lang,Introduction to Arakelov theory, New York : Springer-Verlag, (1988) 1.5
work page 1988
-
[52]
F. Leja.Sur certaines suites li´ ees aux ensembles plans et leur application ` a la repr´ esentation conforme. Ann. Polon. Math.4, 8–13 (1957). (In French) 1.1
work page 1957
-
[53]
Leopardi, Diameter bounds for equal area partitions of the unit sphere
P. Leopardi, Diameter bounds for equal area partitions of the unit sphere. Electron. Trans. Numer. Anal. 35, 1–16 (2009) 9.2
work page 2009
-
[54]
L´ opez-Garc´ ıa.Greedy energy points with external fields
A. L´ opez-Garc´ ıa.Greedy energy points with external fields. Contemp. Math.507, 189–207 (2010). 3.2
work page 2010
-
[55]
A. L´ opez-Garc´ ıa, R. McCleary.Asymptotics of the minimum values of Riesz and logarithmic potentials generated by greedy energy sequences on the unit circle. J. Math. Anal. Appl.508, 125866 (2022). 8.1, 8.3
work page 2022
-
[56]
A. L´ opez-Garc´ ıa, R. McCleary.Asymptotics of greedy energy sequences on the unit circle and the sphere. J. Math. Anal. Appl.504, 125269 (2021). 1.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.2, 8.3
work page 2021
-
[57]
A. L´ opez-Garc´ ıa, E.B. Saff.Asymptotics of greedy energy points. Math. Comp.79, 2287–2316 (2010). 1.4, 3.2, 8.2
work page 2010
-
[58]
A. L´ opez-Garc´ ıa, D. Wagner.Asymptotics of the energy of sections of greedy energy sequences on the unit circle, and some conjectures for general sequences. Comput. Methods Funct. Theory15, 721–750 (2015). 1.4, 8.2, 8.2
work page 2015
-
[59]
A. Narayan, J.D. Jakeman.Adaptive Leja sparse grid constructions for stochastic collocation and high-dimensional approximation. SIAM J. Sci. Comput.36, A2952–A2983 (2014). 1.1
work page 2014
-
[60]
Ohtsuka.On various definitions of capacity and related notions
M. Ohtsuka.On various definitions of capacity and related notions. Nagoya Math. J.30, 121–127 (1967). 1
work page 1967
-
[61]
F. Pausinger.Greedy energy minimization can count in binary: point charges and the van der Corput sequence. Ann. di Mat. Pura ed Appl.200, 165–186 (2021). 8.2
work page 2021
-
[62]
Pritsker.Distribution of point charges with small discrete energy
I.E. Pritsker.Distribution of point charges with small discrete energy. Proc. Amer. Math. Soc.139, 3461–3473 (2011). 1.1
work page 2011
-
[63]
In: Computational Methods and Function Theory, 1994 (Penang), volume 5 of Ser
Rakhmanov, E.A., Saff, E.B., Zhou, Y.M.,Electrons on the sphere. In: Computational Methods and Function Theory, 1994 (Penang), volume 5 of Ser. Approx. Decompos., pp. 293–309. World Sci. Publ., River Edge (1995) 1.2, 5, 3
work page 1994
-
[64]
E.A. Rakhmanov, E.B. Saff, Y.M. Zhou.Minimal discrete energy on the sphere. Math. Res. Lett.1(6), 647–662 (1994). 1.4, 9.2
work page 1994
-
[65]
Reichel.Newton interpolation at Leja points
L. Reichel.Newton interpolation at Leja points. BIT30, 332–346 (1990). 1.1
work page 1990
-
[66]
A. Reznikov, E.B. Saff, O. Vlasiuk.A minimal principle for potentials with application to Chebyshev constants. Potential Anal.47, 235–244 (2017). 1
work page 2017
-
[67]
A. Reznikov, E.B. Saff, A. Volberg.Covering and separation of Chebyshev points for non-integrable Riesz potentials. J. Complexity46, 19–44 (2018). 1
work page 2018
-
[68]
Simanek.Asymptotically optimal configurations for Chebyshev constants with an integrable kernel
B. Simanek.Asymptotically optimal configurations for Chebyshev constants with an integrable kernel. N. Y. J. Math. 22, 667–675 (2016). 1
work page 2016
-
[69]
Steinerberger, A Wasserstein inequality and minimal Green energy on compact manifolds
S. Steinerberger, A Wasserstein inequality and minimal Green energy on compact manifolds. J. Funct. Anal. 281(5), 21 (2021) 1.5
work page 2021
- [70]
-
[71]
Wagner.On means of distances on the surface of a sphere (lower bounds)
G. Wagner.On means of distances on the surface of a sphere (lower bounds). Pacific J. Math.144(2), 389–398 (1990). 1.4 26 DMITRIY BILYK, LIUDMYLA KRYVONOS, RYAN W. MATZKE, AND EDWARD SAFF
work page 1990
-
[72]
Wagner.On means of distances on the surface of a sphere
G. Wagner.On means of distances on the surface of a sphere. II. Upper bounds.Pacific J. Math.154(2) 381–396 (1992). 1.4
work page 1992
-
[73]
Wolf.On the average distance property and certain energy integrals
R. Wolf.On the average distance property and certain energy integrals. Ark. Mat.35, 387–400 (1997). 8.2 School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA Email address:dbilyk@umn.edu Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA Email address:liudmyla.kryvonos@unf.edu Department o...
work page 1997
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.