Extremal polynomials for obtaining bounds for spherical codes and designs

We investigate two extremal problems for polynomials giving upper bounds for spherical codes and for polynomials giving lower bounds for spherical designs, respectively. We consider two basic properties of the solutions of these problems. Namely, we estimate from below the number of double zeros and find zero Gegenbauer coefficients of extremal polynomials. Our results allow us to search effectively for such solutions using a computer. The best polynomials we have obtained give substantial improvements in some cases on the previously known bounds for spherical codes and designs. Some examples are given in Section 6. This research was partially supported by the Bulgarian NSF under Contract I-35/1994.