There is no Diophantine $D(-1)$--quadruple

Abstract

A set of positive integers with the property that the product of any two of them is the successor of a perfect square is called Diophantine $D(-1)$--set. Such objects are usually studied via a system of generalized Pell equations naturally attached to the set under scrutiny. In this paper, an innovative technique is introduced in the study of Diophantine $D(-1)$--quadruples. The main novelty is the uncovering of a quadratic equation relating various parameters describing a hypothetical $D(-1)$--quadruple with integer entries. In combination with extensive computations, this idea leads to the confirmation of the conjecture according to which there is no Diophantine $D(-1)$--quadruple.