SEMINAR: Groups and Combinatorics Seminar, Maximal arcs that contain regular hyperovals

Abstract:

A maximal n-arc is a set of q(n-1) + n points in a projective plane such that any line of the plane meets 0 or n of them. The most common maximal arcs, called the Mathon arcs, are constructed by taking the union of regular hyperovals. In particular, there are no known maximal 4-arcs other than the Mathon arcs and their duals. This talk will cover the history of maximal arcs, including the construction of the Mathon arcs, as well as new results. The most important result is that every maximal 4-arc in PG(2,q), that is a union of regular hyperovals, is a Mathon arc. This is joint work with Nicola Durante from Universita' degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.