Lehmer’s problem for arbitrary groups

Abstract

We consider the problem whether for a group G there exists a constant Lambda(G) > 1 such that for any (r,s)-matrix A over the integral group ring ZG the Fuglede-Kadison determinant of the G-equivariant bounded operator from L^2(G)^r to L^2(G)^s given by right multiplication with A is either one or greater or equal to Lambda(G). If G is the infinite cyclic group and we consider only r = s = 1, this is precisely Lehmer's problem.