AbstractLet $$\mathcal {H}^{*}=\{h_1,h_2,\ldots \}$$
H
∗
=
{
h
1
,
h
2
,
…
}
be an ordered set of integers. We give sufficient conditions for the existence of increasing sequences of natural numbers $$a_j$$
a
j
and $$n_k$$
n
k
such that $$n_k+h_{a_j}$$
n
k
+
h
a
j
is a sum of two squares for every $$k\ge 1$$
k
≥
1
and $$1\le j\le k.$$
1
≤
j
≤
k
.
Our method uses a novel modification of the Maynard–Tao sieve together with a second moment estimate. As a special case of our result, we deduce a conjecture due to D. Jakobson which has several implications for quantum limits on flat tori.