PSL(2,q) as a collineation group of projective planes of small order

Let Π be a projective plane of order n admitting a collineation group G≅PSL(2, q) for some prime power q. It is well known for n=q that Π must be Desarguesian. We show that if n<q then only finitely many cases may occur for П, all of which are Desarguesian. We obtain some information in case n=q ² with q odd, notably that G acts irreducibly on П for q≠3, 5, 9. The material herein was presented to the University of Toronto in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The author is grateful to Professor Chat Y. Ho, presently at the University of Florida, for guidance in this research.