The squeezing function: exact computations, optimal estimates, and a new application

We present a new application of the squeezing function $s_D$, using which one may detect when a given bounded pseudoconvex domain $D⊊{\mathbb{C}}^n$, $n\ge 2$, is not biholomorphic to any product domain. One of the ingredients used in establishing this result is also used to give an exact computation of the squeezing function (which is a constant) of any bounded symmetric domain. This extends a computation by Kubota to any Cartesian product of Cartan domains at least one of which is an exceptional domain. Our method circumvents any case-by-case analysis by rank and also provides optimal estimates for the squeezing functions of certain domains. Lastly, we identify a family of bounded domains that are holomorphic homogeneous regular.