New techniques for bounds on the total number of Prime Factors of an Odd Perfect Number

Abstract

Let $σ(n)$ denote the sum of the positive divisors of $n$. We say that $n$ is perfect if $σ(n) = 2 n$. Currently there are no known odd perfect numbers. It is known that if an odd perfect number exists, then it must be of the form $N = p^α\prod_{j=1}^k q_j^{2 β_j}$, where $p, q_1, ..., q_k$ are distinct primes and $p \equiv α\equiv 1 \pmod{4}$. Define the total number of prime factors of $N$ as $Ω(N) := α+ 2 \sum_{j=1}^k β_j$. Sayers showed that $Ω(N) \geq 29$. This was later extended by Iannucci and Sorli to show that $Ω(N) \geq 37$. This was extended by the author to show that $Ω(N) \geq 47$. Using an idea of Carl Pomerance this paper extends these results. The current new bound is $Ω(N) \geq 75$.