On (q 2 + q + 2, q + 2)-arcs in the Projective Plane PG(2, q)

A (k,n)-arc in PG(2,q) is usually defined to be a set of k points in the plane such that some line meets in n points but such that no line meets in more than n points. There is an extensive literature on the topic of (k,n)-arcs. Here we keep the same definition but allow to be a multiset, that is, permit to contain multiple points. The case k=q ²+q+2 is of interest because it is the first value of k for which a (k,n)-arc must be a multiset. The problem of classifying (q ²+q+2,q+2)-arcs is of importance in coding theory, since it is equivalent to classifying 3-dimensional q-ary error-correcting codes of length q ²+q+2 and minimum distance q ². Indeed, it was the coding theory problem which provided the initial motivation for our study. It turns out that such arcs are surprisingly rich in geometric structure. Here we construct several families of (q ²+q+2,q+2)-arcs as well as obtain some bounds and non-existence results. A complete classification of such arcs seems to be a difficult problem.     

Designs from the Group PSL2(q), q Even

Let q be a power of 2 greater than 2 and consider the group G = PSL₂(q). We choose the maximal subgroups of G isomorphic to the dihedral groups D_2(q+1) and D_2(q-1) and present the primitive action of G on the right cosets of these two subgroups. We will find the orbits of the point stabilizer in each case and in the case of D_2(q-1) we will prove there is an orbit Δ of the point stabilizer G_ω, such that Δ ≠ {ω } and whose orbiting under G gives a 1-design with the automorphism group isomorphic to the symmetric group      

Generalized quadrangles of order (q,q 2),q even,containingW(q) as a subquadrangle

In this paper we give a characterization of the generalized quadrangleQ(5,q),q even, in terms of ovoids of its subquadrangles.     

On the genus of the groups PSL(2, q), PSL(3, q), and PSp(4, q)

SL(n, q) is the group of n×n matrices, over the Galois field GF(q), of determinate 1. PSL(n, q) is SL(n, q) modulo the scalar n×n matrices of determinate 1. PSL(n, q) acts on the Desarguesian projective space PG(n−1, q). Sp(4, q) is the group of 4 × 4 matrices of determinate 1 which preserve the symplectic bilinear form on the 4 × 1 matrices over GF(q). PSp(4, q) is Sp(4, q) modulo Z = {1,−1}. PSp(4, q) acts on the symplectic generalized quadrangle W(3, q), a subspace of the projective space PG(3, q), as a group of automorphisms. In this paper, bounds are given for the genus of these groups.     

On recognition by spectrum of the simple groups B 3(q), C 3(q), and D 4(q)

The spectrum of a finite group is the set of its element orders. Two groups are isospectral whenever they have the same spectra. We consider the classes of finite groups isospectral to the simple symplectic and orthogonal groups B ₃(q), C ₃(q), and D ₄(q). We prove that in the case of even characteristic and q > 2 these groups can be reconstructed from their spectra up to isomorphisms. In the case of odd characteristic we obtain a restriction on the composition structure of groups of this class.     

On the Action of the Groups GL(n+1, q), PGL(n + 1, q), SL(n + 1, q) and PSL(n + 1, q) on PG(n, q t)

Let q be a prime power and let n ≥ 0, t ≥ 1 be integers. We determine the sizes of the point orbits of each of the groups GL(n + 1, q), PGL(n + 1, q), SL(n + 1, q) and PSL(n + 1, q) acting on PG(n, q ^t) and for each of these sizes (and groups) we determine the exact number of point orbits of this size.     

The ranks of primitive parabolic permutation representations of the simple groups B l (q), C l (q), and D l (q)

We determine the ranks of the permutation representations of the simple groups B _l (q), C _l (q), and D _l (q) on the cosets of the parabolic maximal subgroups.     

A characterization of the generalized quadrangle Q(4,q), q ODD

In [3], [ 4 ] we introduced the concept of (0,2)-set in generalized quadrangles, in order to obtain characterizations for P(S,()) and T ₂ ^* (O). Using these sets we are now able to formulate a characterization for Q(4,q), q odd, by assuming local conditions in an antiregular point x of a generalized quadrangle of order s.     

A characterization of the Grassmann embedding of H(q), with q even

In this note, we characterize the Grassmann embedding of H(q), q even, as the unique full embedding of H(q) in PG(12, q) for which each ideal line of H(q) is contained in a plane. In particular, we show that no such embedding exists for H(q), with q odd. As a corollary, we can classify all full polarized embeddings of H(q) in PG(12, q) with the property that the lines through any point are contained in a solid; they necessarily are Grassmann embeddings of H(q), with q even.     

A characterization of PGL(2, q), q odd

Following the lines of [10], we give a characterization of the group PGL(2, q), q odd, in terms of involutions.Work performed under the auspicies of G.N.S.A.C.A. of C.N.R. supported by the 40% grants of M.P.I.     

A characterization of PGL(2,q),q ODD

LetG be a finite group andA andB solvable subgroups ofG, such thatG=AB and 2 is the only common prime divisor ofA andB. Under suitable restrictions of the 2-structure ofA andB, it is shown that eitherG is solvable orG contains a solvable normal subgroupN, such thatG/N contains a normal subgroup, which is isomorphic to PGL(2,q),q odd.