Optimal packings of up to six equal circles on a triangular flat torus

Abstract

For each n between 1 and 6, we prove that a certain arrangement of n equal circles is the unique optimally dense packing on a standard triangular flat torus (the quotient of the plane by the lattice generated by two unit vectors with a 60◦ angle). The packings of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 circles are based on either a toroidal triangular close packing or a toroidal triangular close packing with one circle removed. The packing of 5 circles is irregular. This proves two cases of a conjecture stronger than L. Fejes Toth’s conjecture about the strong solidity of the triangular close packing on the plane.