theoretical-computer-science / Theoretical computer science

Steurer's Conjecture on Vectors with Small Average Correlation

Steurer conjectured in 2010 that any family of $n$ unit vectors with polynomially small average correlation $\mathbb{E}_{i,j}|\langle v_i,v_j\rangle| \le n^{-\varepsilon}$ contains linear-sized constant-separated sets. Refuted in a strong sense, using sparse high-dimensional expanders.

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theoretical-computer-scienceMay 29, 2026Significance 20/100Registry: unreviewed

Steurer's Conjecture on Vectors with Small Average Correlation

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Steurer conjectured in 2010 that any family of $n$ unit vectors with polynomially small average correlation $\mathbb{E}_{i,j}|\langle v_i,v_j\rangle| \le n^{-\varepsilon}$ contains linear-sized constant-separated sets. Refuted in a strong sense, using sparse high-dimensional expanders.

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Steurer conjectured in 2010 that any family of $n$ unit vectors with polynomially small average correlation $\mathbb{E}_{i,j}|\langle v_i,v_j\rangle| \le n^{-\varepsilon}$ contains linear-sized constant-separated sets. Refuted in a strong sense, using sparse high-dimensional expanders.

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