Subconvexity in the inhomogeneous cubic Vinogradov system

Abstract: When $\mathbf h\in \mathbb Z^3$, denote by $B(X;\mathbf h)$ the number of integral solutions to the system [ \sum_{i=1}^6(x_i^j-y_i^j)=h_j\quad (1\le j\le 3), ] with $1\le x_i,y_i\le X$ $(1\le i\le 6)$. When $h_1\ne 0$ and appropriate local solubility conditions on $\mathbf h$ are met, we obtain an asymptotic formula for $B(X;\mathbf h)$, thereby establishing a subconvex local-global principle in the inhomogeneous cubic Vinogradov system. We obtain similar conclusions also when $h_1=0$, $h_2\ne 0$ and $X$ is sufficiently large in terms of $h_2$. Our arguments involve minor arc estimates going beyond square-root cancellation.