Zeta Zeros in a Narrow Vertical Box

Abstract

In 1973 Montgomery proved, assuming the Riemann Hypothesis (RH), that asymptotically at least 2/3 of zeros of the Riemann zeta-function are simple zeros. In a previous note (arXiv:2511.20059 [math.NT]) we showed how RH can be replaced with a general estimate for a double sum over zeros, and this allows one to then obtain results on zeros that are both simple and on the critical line. Here we give a simple proof based on a direct generalization of Montgomery's proof that on assuming all the zeros are in a narrow vertical box between height $T$ and $2T$ of width $b/\log T$ and centered on the critical line, then, if $b=b(T)\to 0$ as $T\to \infty$, we have asymptotically at least 2/3 of the zeros are simple and on the critical line.