The word "heesch" is a bit tricky when it comes to spelling. It is pronounced as [hiʃ], which means the "h" is silent, while the "ee" represents the long "e" sound, and "sch" sounds like the "sh" in "ship". This word has Dutch origins, where it is spelled as "Heesch". However, when the word is used in English, it is commonly spelled with one "e" instead of two. Regardless of its spelling, "heesch" means quiet or peaceful, making use of this word a great way to describe a serene environment.
Heesch is a term derived from the Dutch language that refers to a specific mathematical problem known as the "Heesch problem." The Heesch problem pertains to studying the extent to which a two-dimensional shape can tile the plane without creating an infinite pattern. In other words, it investigates the maximum number of copies of the shape that can be arranged side-by-side without overlapping.
The concept of Heesch revolves around a tile's "defect," which signifies the maximum number of neighboring copies needed by a tile in order for it to be included in a complete tiling. A tile with a defect of zero can be placed individually, while a tile with a higher defect must have a certain number of adjacent neighbors to fit into the tiling.
The Heesch number, often denoted as Heesch(n), represents the highest defect value among the tiles in a given tiling. The determination of a shape's Heesch number is crucial in understanding the tiling properties and constraints associated with that shape.
The Heesch problem originated in the 1970s, when the Dutch mathematician Leo Moser postulated various conjectures relating to tile defects. Researchers have since made considerable progress in this fascinating field, unlocking insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing tiling patterns and the restrictions imposed on their structures.