Calculus of Variations and Geometric Measure Theory

A. Cesaroni - M. Novaga

The truncated octahedron minimizes surface area among parallelohedra of equal volume

created by cesaroni on 02 Sep 2026

[BibTeX]

Preprint

Inserted: 2 sep 2026
Last Updated: 2 sep 2026

Pages: 34
Year: 2026

Abstract:

We prove that the regular truncated octahedron uniquely minimizes surface area among all parallelohedra of fixed volume. Equivalently, every three-dimensional parallelohedron $P$ satisfies \[ \frac{\mathcal H^2(\partial P)}{
P
^{2/3}} \ge \frac{3(1+2\sqrt3)}{4^{2/3}}, \] with equality if and only if $P$ is similar to the regular truncated octahedron. Among the non-truncated Fedorov types we prove a stronger sharp bound, attained uniquely by the regular rhombic dodecahedron.


Download: