Linear sets in finite projective spaces

In this paper linear sets of finite projective spaces are studied and the “dual” of a linear set is introduced. Also, some applications of the theory of linear sets are investigated: blocking sets in Desarguesian planes, maximum scattered linear sets, translation ovoids of the Cayley Hexagon, translation ovoids of orthogonal polar spaces and finite semifields. Besides “old” results, new ones are proven and some open questions are discussed.     

Semi — Quadratic sets in projective spaces

The purpose of this paper is to characterize semi-quadrics in projective spacesP of finite dimension 2 at least. A concept of semi-quadratic set inP is introduced: a semi-quadratic setQ inP is essentially a set of points ofP such that the union of all tangent lines at each pointp ofQ is either a hyperplane ofP orP itself. (A tangent line ofQ atp is a line contained inQ or meetingQ exactly inp). The main result is that a semi-quadratic set which is invariant under “many” perspectivities is a semi-quadric.     

On generalized projective spaces operating on sets

A skewprojective space is a generalization of both groups and projective spaces. It is desarguesian if it is the space of infinity of a suitable skewaffine space. Especially a projective space is desarguesian in the sense cited above iff it is desarguesian in the usual sense. As a generalization of the well known fact that a proper subspace of a projective space is always desarguesian we establish a large class of skew-projective spaces also possessing this property.Dedicated to Günter Pickert on his 80^th birthday     

Resolving sets for higher dimensional projective spaces

Lower and upper bounds on the size of resolving sets for the point-hyperplane incidence graph of the finite projective space $\mathrm{PG}(n,q)$ are presented.     

Blocking sets and partial spreads in finite projective spaces

A t-blocking set in the finite projective space PG(d, q) with dt+1 is a set of points such that any (d–t)-dimensional subspace is incident with a point of and no t-dimensional subspace is contained in . It is shown that | |q ^t +...+1+q ^t–1q and the examples of minimal cardinality are characterized. Using this result it is possible to prove upper and lower bounds for the cardinality of partial t-spreads in PG(d, q). Finally, examples of blocking sets and maximal partial spreads are given.     

Minimal sets of foliations on complex projective spaces

Dedicated to René Thom with admiration.     

On the minimum size of complete arcs and minimal saturating sets in projective planes

The minimum size of a complete arc in the planes PG(2, 31) and PG(2, 32) and of a 1-saturating set in PG(2, 17) and PG(2, 19) is determined. Also, the minimal 1-saturating sets in PG(2, 9) and PG(2, 11) are classified. In addition, the minimal 1-saturating sets of the smallest size in PG(2, q) are classified for 16 ≤ q ≤ 23. These results have been found using a computer-based exhaustive search that exploits projective equivalence properties.     

Minimal 1-saturating sets and complete caps in binary projective spaces

In binary projective spaces PG(v,2), minimal 1-saturating sets, including sets with inner lines and complete caps, are considered. A number of constructions of the minimal 1-saturating sets are described. They give infinite families of sets with inner lines and complete caps in spaces with increasing dimension. Some constructions produce sets with an interesting symmetrical structure connected with inner lines, polygons, and orbits of stabilizer groups. As an example we note an 11-set in PG(4,2) called “Pentagon with center”. The complete classification of minimal 1-saturating sets in small geometries is obtained by computer and is connected with the constructions described.     

Lower bounds for the cardinality of minimal blocking sets in projective spaces

In this paper new lower bounds for the cardinality of minimal m-blocking sets are determined. Let r₂(q) be the number such that q+r₂(q)+1 is the cardinality of the smallest non-trivial line-blocking set in a plane of order q. If B is a minimal m-blocking set in PG(n,q) that contains at most q^m+q^m−1+…+q+1+r₂(q)·(∑_i=2m−n′^m−1qⁱ) points for an integer n′ satisfying mn′2m, then the dimension of B is at most n′. If the dimension of B is n′, then the following holds. The cardinality of B equals q^m+q^m−1+…+q+1+r₂(q)(∑_i=2m−n′^m−1qⁱ). For n′=m the set B is an m-dimensional subspace and for n′=m+1 the set B is a cone with an (m−2)-dimensional vertex over a non-trivial line-blocking set of cardinality q+r₂(q)+1 in a plane skew to the vertex. This result is due to Heim (Mitt. Math. Semin. Giessen 226 (1996), 4–82). For n′>m+1 and q not a prime the number q is a square and for q16 the set B is a Baer cone. If q is odd and |B|<q^m+q^m−1+…+q+1+r₂(q)(q^m−1+q^m−2), it follows from this result that the subspace generated by B has dimension at most m+1. Furthermore we prove that in this case, if , then B is an m-dimensional subspace or a cone with an (m−2)-dimensional vertex over a non-trivial line-blocking set of cardinality q+r₂(q)+1 in a plane skew to the vertex. For q=p^3h, p7 and q not a square we show this assertion for |B|q^m+q^m−1+…+q+1+q^2/3·(q^m−1+…+1).     

Self-dual sets of type (m, n) in projective spaces

In this paper we introduce and analyze the notion of self-dual k-sets of type (m, n). We show that in a non-square order projective space such sets exist only if the dimension is odd. We prove that, in a projective space of odd dimension and order q, self-dual k-sets of type (m, n), with , are of elliptic and hyperbolic type, respectively. As a corollary we obtain a new characterization of the non-singular elliptic and hyperbolic quadrics.     

On canonical embeddings of complex projective spaces in real projective spaces

In this paper, we construct a natural embedding \(\sigma :\mathbb{C}P_\mathbb{R}^{n} \to \mathbb{R}P^{n^2 + 2n} \) of the complex projective space ?P ⁿ considered as a 2n-dimensional, real-analytic manifold in the real projective space \(\mathbb{R}P^{n^2 + 2n} \). The image of the embedding σ is called the ?P ⁿ-surface. To construct the embedding, we consider two equivalent approaches. The first approach is based on properties of holomorphic bivectors in the realification of a complex vector space. This approach allows one to prove that a ?P-surface is a flat section of a Grassman manifold. In the second approach, we use the adjoint representation of the Lie group U(n + 1) and the canonical decomposition of the Lie algebra u(n). This approach allows one to state a gemetric characterization of the canonical decomposition of the Lie algebra u(n). Moreover, we study properties of the embedding constructed. We prove that this embedding determines the canonical Kähler structure on ?P _? ⁿ . In particular, the Fubini-Study metric is exactly the first fundamental form of the embedding and the complex structure on ?P _? ⁿ is completely defined by its second fundamental form; therefore, this embedding is said to be canonical. Moreover, we describe invariant and anti-invariant completely geodesic submanifolds of the complex projective space.     

Lines in projective spaces

Here we study finite unions, Y, of lines in a projective space PG(n, K). We prove that if K is an infinite field, Y spans PG(n, K) and a general hyperplane section of Y is not in linearly general position, then there exists at least one linear subspace M of PG(n, K) such that 2 dim(M) < n and M contains at least dim(M)+2 lines of Y.The author was partially supported by MIUR and GNSAGA of INdAM (Italy).     

Finite projective ordered sets

We show that quasiprojectivity and projectivity are equivalent properties for finite ordered sets of more than two elements.