Bounding the size of near hexagons with lines of size 3

We consider finite near hexagons with lines of size 3, and prove that there are only finitely many examples given the nondegeneracy condition that for each point there exists a point at distance 3 to it. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 52: 108–122, 2006     

An Alternative Way to Generalize the Pentagon

We introduce the concept of a pentagonal geometry as a generalization of the pentagon and the Desargues configuration, in the same vein that the generalized polygons share the fundamental properties of ordinary polygons. In short, a pentagonal geometry is a regular partial linear space in which for all points x, the points not collinear with the point x, form a line. We compute bounds on their parameters, give some constructions, obtain some nonexistence results for seemingly feasible parameters and suggest a cryptographic application related to identifying codes of partial linear spaces.     

Flag transitive planes of dimension four over GF(3)

Two non desarguesian flag transitive planes of order 3⁴ whose Kernel is GF(3) are constructed. These planes are distinct from the planes of the same order contained in the class constructed by Narayana Rao M. L. (Proceedings of American Mathematical Society 39 (1973) 51–56) and Ebert, G.L. and Baker, R. (Enumeration of two dimensional Flag-Transitive planes, Algebras, Groups and Geometries 3 (1985) 248–257). The Flag Transitive group modulo the scalar collineations of these planes is generated by two elements and is of order 328.     

Decomposable Near Polygons

We give a common construction for the product and the glued near polygons by generalizing the glueing construction given in [5]. We call the near polygons arising from this generalized glueing construction decomposable or (again) glued. We will study the geodetically closed sub near polygons of decomposable near polygons. Each decomposable near hexagon has a nice pair of partitions in geodetically closed near polygons. We will give a characterization of the decomposable near polygons using this property.     

Conclaves of planes in PG (4,2) and certain planes external to the Grassmannian ${\cal G}_{1,4,2} \subset$ PG(9,2)

We show that in $\operatorname{PG}(4,2)$ there exist octets $\mathcal{P} _{8}=\{\pi_{1},\,\ldots\,,\pi_{8}\}$ of planes such that the 28 intersections $\pi_{i}\cap\pi_{j}$ are distinct points. Such conclaves (see [6]) $\mathcal{P}_{8}$ of planes in $\operatorname{PG}(4,2)$ are shown to be in bijective correspondence with those planes $P$ in $\operatorname{PG}(9,2)$ which are external to the Grassmannian $\mathcal{G}_{1,4,2}$ and which belong to the orbit $\operatorname{orb}(2\gamma)$ (see [4]). The fact that, under the action of $\operatorname{GL}(5,2),$ the stabilizer groups $\mathcal{G}_{\mathcal{P}_{8}}$ and $\mathcal{G}_{P}$ both have the structure $2^{3}:(7:3)$ is thus illuminated. Starting out from a regulus-free partial spread $\mathcal{S}_{8}$ in $\operatorname{PG}(4,2)$ we also give a construction of a conclave of planes $P\in\operatorname{orb}(2\gamma)\subset\operatorname{PG}(9,2).$     

Translation Generalized Quadrangles In Even Characteristic

In this paper, we first introduce new objects called “translation generalized ovals” and “translation generalized ovoids”, and make a thorough study of these objects. We then obtain numerous new characterizations of the of Tits and the classical generalized quadrangle in even characteristic, including the complete classification of 2-transitive generalized ovals for the even case. Next, we prove a new strong characterization theorem for the of Tits. As a corollary, we obtain a purely geometric proof of a theorem of Johnson on semifield flocks. * The second author is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Fund for Scientific Research—Flanders (Belgium).     

Generalized quadrangles with an ovoid that is translation with respect to opposite flags

The article [6] contains the result that if a finite generalized quadrangle of order s has an ovoid that is translation with respect to two opposite flags, but not with respect to any two non-opposite flags, then is self-polar and is the set of absolute points of a polarity. In particular, if is the classical generalized quadrangle Q(4, q) then is a Suzuki-Tits ovoid. In this article, we remove the need to assume that is Q(4, q) in order to conclude that is a Suzuki-Tits ovoid by showing that the initial assumptions in fact imply that is Q(4, q). At the same time, we also relax the requirement that have order s.Received: 14 May 2004     

The uniqueness of the near hexagon on 729 points

We prove that any regular near hexagon with 729 vertices and lines of size 3 is derived from the ternary Golay code, thus settling the last case in doubt among the regular near hexagons with lines of size 3.     

Flocks and ovals

An infinite family of q-clans, called the Subiaco q-clans, is constructed for q=2^e. Associated with these q-clans are flocks of quadratic cones, elation generalized quadrangles of order (q ², q), ovals of PG(2, q) and translation planes of order q ² with kernel GF(q). It is also shown that a q-clan, for q=2^e, is equivalent to a certain configuration of q+1 ovals of PG(2, q), called a herd.W. Cherowitzo gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Research Council and has the deepest gratitude and warmest regards for the Combinatorial Computing Research Group at the University of Western Australia for their congenial hospitality and moral support. I. Pinneri gratefully acknowledges the support of a University of Western Australia Research Scholarship.     

On infinite K-clan geometry

We discuss infinite elation generalized quadrangles as group coset geometries and use this approach to deal with the special case of those associated with flocks of quadratic cones of PG(3,K).This research begun while the second author was a C.N.R. visiting professor in Italy during May–June 1996.     

On linear spaces and matroids of arbitrary cardinality

In this paper, we study linear spaces of arbitrary finite dimension on some (possibly infinite) set. We interpret linear spaces as simple matroids and study the problem of erecting some linear space of dimension n to some linear space of dimension n + 1 if possible. Several examples of some such erections are studied; in particular, one of these erections is computed within some infinite iteration process.Dedicated to the memory of Gian-Carlo Rota     

Tight sets and <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-ovoids of generalised quadrangles

The concept of a tight set of points of a generalised quadrangle was introduced by S. E. Payne in 1987, and that of an m-ovoid of a generalised quadrangle was introduced by J. A. Thas in 1989, and we unify these two concepts by defining intriguing sets of points. We prove that every intriguing set of points in a generalised quadrangle is an m-ovoid or a tight set, and we state an intersection result concerning these objects. In the classical generalised quadrangles, we construct new m-ovoids and tight sets. In particular, we construct m-ovoids of W(3,q), q odd, for all even m; we construct (q+1)/2-ovoids of W(3,q) for q odd; and we give a lower bound on m for m-ovoids of H(4,q ²).     

Ovoids of generalized quadrangles of order and Delsarte cocliques in related strongly regular graphs

We investigate strongly regular graphs for which Hoffman's ratio bound and Cvetcović's inertia bound are equal. This means that , where v is the number of vertices, k is the regularity, is the smallest eigenvalue, and is the multiplicity of . We show that Delsarte cocliques do not exist for all Taylor's 2‐graphs and for point graphs of generalized quadrangles of order for infinitely many q. For cases where equality may hold, we show that for nearly all parameter sets, there are at most two Delsarte cocliques.     

Characterization of complete exterior sets of conics

Let be a set of exterior points of a nondegenerate conic inPG(2,q) with the property that the line joining any 2 points in misses the conic. Ifq1 (mod 4) then consists of the exterior points on a passant, ifq3 (mod 4) then other examples exist (at least forq=7, 11, ..., 31).Support from the Dutch organization for scientific Research (NWO) is gratefully acknowledged     

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 the sharpness of a theorem of B. segre

The theorem of B. Segre mentioned in the title states that a complete arc of PG(2,q),q even which is not a hyperoval consists of at mostq−√q+1 points. In the first part of our paper we prove this theorem to be sharp forq=s ² by constructing completeq−√q+1-arcs. Our construction is based on the cyclic partition of PG(2,q) into disjoint Baer-subplanes. (See Bruck [1]). In his paper [5] Kestenband constructed a class of (q−√q+1)-arcs but he did not prove their completeness. In the second part of our paper we discuss the connections between Kestenband’s and our constructions. We prove that these constructions result in isomorphic (q−√q+1)-arcs. The proof of this isomorphism is based on the existence of a traceorthogonal normal basis in GF(q ³) over GF(q), and on a representation of GF(q)³ in GF(q ³)³ indicated in Jamison [4].     

Tubes of even order and flat π.C 2 geometries

Atube of even orderq=2 ^d is a setT={L, } ofq+3 pairwise skew lines in PG(3,q) such that every plane onL meets the lines of in a hyperoval. Thequadric tube is obtained as follows. Take a hyperbolic quadricQ=Q ₃ ⁺ (q) in PG(3,q); letL be an exterior line, and let consist of the polar line ofL together with a regulus onQ.In this paper we show the existence of tubes of even order other than the quadric one, and we prove that the subgroup of PL(4,q) fixing a tube {L, } cannot act transitively on . As pointed out by a construction due to Pasini, this implies new results for the existence of flat .C ₂ geometries whoseC ₂-residues are nonclassical generalized quadrangles different from nets. We also give the results of some computations on the existence and uniqueness of tubes in PG(3,q) for smallq. Further, we define tubes for oddq (replacing hyperoval by conic in the definition), and consider briefly a related extremal problem.Dedicated to luigi antonio rosati on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Möbius-Kantor configurations in the affine plane of order 7

We partition the affine plane of order 7 into a set of M?bius-Kantor configurations 8₃ plus a set consisting only of one point.     

Minimal blocking sets of size 2p – 2 and 2p – 3 in PG(2, p), p prime and p > 5

A general construction of minimal blocking sets of size 2p – 3, where p is a prime and p ≡ 1 (mod 4), p > 5, and of size 2p – 2, where p is a prime and p ≡ 3 (mod 4), p > 5 in PG(2, p) is presented. These blocking sets are all of Rédei type.