Tight sets and m-ovoids of finite polar spaces

An intriguing set of points of a generalised quadrangle was introduced in [J. Bamberg, M. Law, T. Penttila, Tight sets and m-ovoids of generalised quadrangles, Combinatorica, in press] as a unification of the pre-existing notions of tight set and m-ovoid. It was shown in [J. Bamberg, M. Law, T. Penttila, Tight sets and m-ovoids of generalised quadrangles, Combinatorica, in press] that every intriguing set of points in a finite generalised quadrangle is a tight set or an m-ovoid (for some m). Moreover, it was shown that an m-ovoid and an i-tight set of a common generalised quadrangle intersect in mi points. These results yielded new proofs of old results, and in this paper, we study the natural analogue of intriguing sets in finite polar spaces of higher rank. In particular, we use the techniques developed in this paper to give an alternative proof of a result of Thas [J.A. Thas, Ovoids and spreads of finite classical polar spaces, Geom. Dedicata 10 (1-4) (1981) 135-143] that there are no ovoids of H(2r,q²), Q⁻(2r+1,q), and W(2r−1,q) for r>2. We also strengthen a result of Drudge on the non-existence of tight sets in W(2r−1,q), H(2r+1,q²), and Q⁺(2r+1,q), and we give a new proof of a result of De Winter, Luyckx, and Thas [S. De Winter, J.A. Thas, SPG-reguli satisfying the polar property and a new semipartial geometry, Des. Codes Cryptogr. 32 (1-3) (2004) 153-166; D. Luyckx, m-Systems of finite classical polar spaces, PhD thesis, The University of Ghent, 2002] that an m-system of W(4m+3,q) or Q⁻(4m+3,q) is a pseudo-ovoid of the ambient projective space.     

Constructions of intriguing sets of polar spaces from field reduction and derivation

The concepts of a tight set of points and an m-ovoid of a generalised quadrangle were unified recently by Bamberg, Law and Penttila under the title of intriguing sets. This unification was subsequently extended to polar spaces of arbitrary rank. The first part of this paper deals with a method of constructing intriguing sets of one polar space from those of another via field reduction. In the second part of this paper, we generalise an ovoid derivation of Payne and Thas to a derivation of intriguing sets.      

Weighted intriguing sets of finite generalised quadrangles

We construct and analyse interesting integer valued functions on the points of a generalised quadrangle which lie in the orthogonal complement of a principal eigenspace of the collinearity relation. These functions generalise the intriguing sets introduced by Bamberg et al. (Combinatorica 29(1):1?C17, 2009), and they provide the extra machinery to give new proofs of old results and to establish new insight into the existence of certain configurations of generalised quadrangles. In particular, we give a geometric characterisation of Payne??s tight sets, we give a new proof of Thas?? result that an m-ovoid of a generalised quadrangle of order (s,s ²) is a hemisystem, and we give a bound on the values of m for which it is possible for an m-ovoid of the four dimensional Hermitian variety to exist.     

Subquadrangle m‐regular systems on generalized quadrangles

We introduce the notion of subquadrangle regular system of a generalized quadrangle. A subquadrangle regular system of order m on a generalized quadrangle of order (s, t) is a set ? of embedded subquadrangles with the property that every point lies on exactly m subquadrangles of ?. If m is one half of the total number of subquadrangles on a point, we call ? a subquadrangle hemisystem. We construct two infinite families of symplectic subquadrangle hemisystems of the Hermitian surface ??(3, q²), q odd, and two infinite families of symplectic subquadrangle hemisystems of ??₃(q²), q even. Some sporadic examples of symplectic subquadrangle regular systems of ??(3, q²) are also presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 19:28‐41, 2010     

Spreads and ovoids in finite generalized quadrangles

This paper is a survey on the existence and non-existence of ovoids and spreads in the known finite generalized quadrangles. It also contains the following new results. We prove that translation generalized quadrangles of order (s,s ²), satisfying certain properties, have a spread. This applies to three known infinite classes of translation generalized quadrangles. Further a new class of ovoids in the classical generalized quadranglesQ(4, 3 ^e ),e3, is constructed. Then, by the duality betweenQ(4, 3 ^e ) and the classical generalized quadrangleW (3 ^e ), we get line spreads of PG(3, 3 ^e ) and hence translation planes of order 3^2e . These planes appear to be new. Note also that only a few classes of ovoids ofQ(4,q) are known. Next we prove that each generalized quadrangle of order (q ²,q) arising from a flock of a quadratic cone has an ovoid. Finally, we give the following characterization of the classical generalized quadranglesQ(5,q): IfS is a generalized quadrangle of order (q,q ²),q even, having a subquadrangleS isomorphic toQ(4,q) and if inS each ovoid consisting of all points collinear with a given pointx ofS\S is an elliptic quadric, thenS is isomorphic toQ(5,q).     

Point regular groups of automorphisms of generalised quadrangles

We study the point regular groups of automorphisms of some of the known generalised quadrangles. In particular we determine all point regular groups of automorphisms of the thick classical generalised quadrangles. We also construct point regular groups of automorphisms of the generalised quadrangle of order (q−1,q+1) obtained by Payne derivation from the classical symplectic quadrangle W(3,q). For q=pf with f?2 we obtain at least two nonisomorphic groups when p?5 and at least three nonisomorphic groups when p=2 or 3. Our groups include nonabelian 2-groups, groups of exponent 9 and nonspecial p-groups. We also enumerate all point regular groups of automorphisms of some small generalised quadrangles.     

Maximal partial spreads in PG (3, q)

We transfer the whole geometry of PG(3, q) over a non-singular quadric Q_4,q of PG(4, q) mapping suitably PG(3, q) over Q_4,q. More precisely the points of PG(3, q) are the lines of Q_4,q; the lines of PG(3, q) are the tangent cones of Q_4,q and the reguli of the hyperbolic quadrics hyperplane section of Q_4,q. A plane of PG(3, q) is the set of lines of Q_4,q meeting a fixed line of Q_4,q. We remark that this representation is valid also for a projective space over any field K and we apply the above representation to construct maximal partial spreads in PG(3, q). For q even we get new cardinalities for For q odd the cardinalities are partially known.     

Tight sets,weighted <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-covers,weighted <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-ovoids,and minihypers

Minihypers are substructures of projective spaces introduced to study linear codes meeting the Griesmer bound. Recently, many results in finite geometry were obtained by applying characterization results on minihypers (De Beule et al. 16:342–349, 2008; Govaerts and Storme 4:279–286, 2004; Govaerts et al. 28:659–672, 2002). In this paper, using characterization results on certain minihypers, we present new results on tight sets in classical finite polar spaces and weighted m-covers, and on weighted m-ovoids of classical finite generalized quadrangles. The link with minihypers gives us characterization results of i-tight sets in terms of generators and Baer subgeometries contained in the Hermitian and symplectic polar spaces, and in terms of generators for the quadratic polar spaces. We also present extendability results on partial weighted m-ovoids and partial weighted m-covers, having small deficiency, to weighted m-covers and weighted m-ovoids of classical finite generalized quadrangles. As a particular application, we prove in an alternative way the extendability of 53-, 54-, and 55-caps of PG(5,3), contained in a non-singular elliptic quadric Q⁻(5,3), to 56-caps contained in this elliptic quadric Q⁻(5,3).      

Notes on binary codes related to the O(5, q) generalized quadrangle for odd q

In this note we determine the dimensions of the binary codes spanned by the lines or by the point neighborhoods in the generalized quadrangle Sp(4, q) and its dual O(5, q), where q is odd. Several more general results are given. As a side result we find that if a square generalized quadrangle of odd order has an antiregular point, then all of its points are antiregular.On leave from the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta; research supported by a grant from NWO.     

Line partitions of internal points to a conic in <Emphasis Type="Italic">PG</Emphasis>(2,<Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>)

All sets of lines providing a partition of the set of internal points to a conic C in PG(2,q), q odd, are determined. There exist only three such linesets up to projectivities, namely the set of all non-tangent lines to C through an external point to C, the set of all non-tangent lines to C through a point in C, and, for square q, the set of all non-tangent lines to C belonging to a Baer subplane PG(2,√q) with √q+1 common points with C. This classification theorem is the analogous of a classical result by Segre and Korchmáros [9] characterizing the pencil of lines through an internal point to C as the unique set of lines, up to projectivities, which provides a partition of the set of all non-internal points to C. However, the proof is not analogous, since it does not rely on the famous Lemma of Tangents of Segre which was the main ingredient in [9]. The main tools in the present paper are certain partitions in conics of the set of all internal points to C, together with some recent combinatorial characterizations of blocking sets of non-secant lines, see [2], and of blocking sets of external lines, see [1].     

A hemisystem of a nonclassical generalised quadrangle

The concept of a hemisystem of a generalised quadrangle has its roots in the work of B. Segre, and this term is used here to denote a set of points such that every line ℓ meets in half of the points of ℓ. If one takes the point-line geometry on the points of the hemisystem, then one obtains a partial quadrangle and hence a strongly regular point graph. The only previously known hemisystems of generalised quadrangles of order (q, q ²) were those of the elliptic quadric , q odd. We show in this paper that there exists a hemisystem of the Fisher–Thas–Walker–Kantor generalised quadrangle of order (5, 5²), which leads to a new partial quadrangle. Moreover, we can construct from our hemisystem the 3· A ₇-hemisystem of , first constructed by Cossidente and Penttila.      

Distance-j-Ovoids in Regular Near 2d-Gons

In [8] valuations were introduced and it was shown that these were important objects for classifying near 2n-gons. Several classes were given including one arising from so-called distance-2j-ovoids. Here we introduce pseudo-valutions and explain why these objects can be important for classifying near (2n+1)-gons. Every valuation of a near polygon gives rise to pseudo-valuations and almost all known examples of pseudo-valuations arise in this way. We show that every distance-(2j+1)-ovoid gives rise to a pseudo-valuation which does not come from a valuation. Subsequently, we study distance-j-ovoids in regular near polygons. We are able to calculate the number of elements of a distance-j-ovoid in two ways, yielding a relation between the parameters of the regular near polygon. We will discuss some cases where this relation can be solved. Postdoctoral Fellow of the Research Foundation - Flanders     

The classification of spreads in PG(3, q) admitting linear groups of order q(q+1), I. odd order

A classification is given of all spreads in PG(3, q), q = p^r, p odd, whose associated translation planes admit linear collineation groups of order q(q +1) such that a Sylow p-subgroup fixes a line and acts non-trivially on it.The authors are indebted to T. Penttila for pointing out the special examples of conical flock translation planes of order q² that admit groups of order q(q+1), when q = 23 or 47.     

The uniqueness of 1-systems of W 5(q) satisfying the BLT-property, with q odd

In the symplectic polar space W ₅(q) every 1-system which satisfies the BLT-property (and then q is odd) defines a generalized quadrangle (GQ) of order (q ²,q ³). In this paper, we show that this 1-system is unique, so that the only GQ arising in this way is isomorphic to the classical GQ H(4,q ²), q odd.     

New (k; r)-arcs in the projective plane of order thirteen

A (k;r)-arc $\cal K$ is a set of k points of a projective plane PG(2, q) such that some r, but no r +1 of them, are collinear. The maximum size of a (k; r)-arc in PG(2, q) is denoted by m _r (2, q). In this paper a (35; 4)-arc, seven (48; 5)-arcs, a (63; 6)-arc and two (117; 10)-arcs in PG(2, 13) are given. Some were found by means of computer search, whereas the example of a (63; 6)-arc was found by adding points to those of a sextic curve $\cal C$ that was not complete as a (54; 6)-arc. All these arcs are new and improve the lower bounds for m _r (2, 13) given in [10, Table 5.4]. The last section concerns the nonexistence of (40; 4)-arcs in PG(2, 13).     

Classification of maximal caps in PG(3,5) different from elliptic quadrics

Ak-cap in PG(3,q) is a set of k points, no three of which are collinear. A k-cap is calledcomplete if it is not contained in a (k+1)-cap. The maximum valuem ₂(3, q) ofk for which there exists a k-cap in PG(3,q) is q²+1. Letm ₂(3, q) denote the size of the second largest complete k-cap in PG(3,q). This number is only known for the smallest values of q, namely for q=2, 3,4 (cf. [2], pp. 96–97 and [3], p. 303). In this paper we show thatm ₂(3,5)=20. We also prove that there are, up to isomorphism, only two complete 20-caps in PG(3,5) and determine their collineation groups.In memoriam Giuseppe TalliniWork done within the activity of GNSAGA of CNR and supported by MURST.     

Blocking Sets Of External Lines To A Conic In PG(2,q), q ODD

We determine all point-sets of minimum size in PG(2,q), q odd that meet every external line to a conic in PG(2,q). The proof uses a result on the linear system of polynomials vanishing at every internal point to the conic and a corollary to the classification theorem of all subgroups of PGL(2,q). * Research supported by the Italian Ministry MURST, Strutture geometriche, combinatoria e loro applicazioni and by the Hungarian-Italian Intergovernemental project “Algebraic and Geometric Structures”.     

On the classification of semifield flocks

A classical lemma of Weil is used to characterise quadratic polynomials f with coefficients GF(qⁿ), q odd, with the property that f(x) is a non-zero square for all x∈GF(q). This characterisation is used to prove the main theorem which states that there are no subplanes of order q contained in the set of internal points of a conic in PG(2,qⁿ) for q?4n²−8n+2. As a corollary to this theorem it then follows that the only semifield flocks of the quadratic cone of PG(3,qⁿ) for those q exceeding this bound are the linear flocks and the Kantor-Knuth semifield flocks.     

Small Point Sets that Meet All Generators of W(2n+1,q)

Let W(2n+1,q), n1, be the symplectic polar space of finite order q and (projective) rank n. We investigate the smallest cardinality of a set of points that meets every generator of W(2n+1,q). For q even, we show that this cardinality is q ⁿ⁺¹+q ^{n–1, and we characterize all sets of this cardinality. For q odd, better bounds are known.     

Linear k-blocking Sets

We point out the relationship between normal spreads and the linear k-blocking sets introduced in [9]. We give a characterisation of linear k-blocking sets proving that the projections and the embeddings of a PG(kt,q) in are linear k-blocking sets of . Finally, we construct some new examples. Received December 19, 1997/Revised September 19, 2000 RID="*" ID="*" Partially supported by Italian M.U.R.S.T.