A Characterization of Hermitian Varieties as Codewords

It is known that the Hermitian varieties are codewords in the code defined by the points and hyperplanes of the projective spaces $\mathrm{PG}(r,q^2)$. In finite geometry, also quasi-Hermitian varieties are defined. These are sets of points of $\mathrm{PG}(r,q^2)$ of the same size as a non-singular Hermitian variety of $\mathrm{PG}(r,q^2)$, having the same intersection sizes with the hyperplanes of $\mathrm{PG}(r,q^2)$. In the planar case, this reduces to the definition of a unital. A famous result of Blokhuis, Brouwer, and Wilbrink states that every unital in the code of the points and lines of $\mathrm{PG}(2,q^2)$ is a Hermitian curve. We prove a similar result for the quasi-Hermitian varieties in $\mathrm{PG}(3,q^2)$, $q=p^{h}$, as well as in $\mathrm{PG}(r,q^2)$, $q=p$ prime, or $q=p^2$, $p$ prime, and $r\geq 4$.

Tight sets in finite classical polar spaces

We show that every i-tight set in the Hermitian variety H(2r + 1, q) is a union of pairwise disjoint (2r + 1)-dimensional Baer subgeometries $\text{PG}(2r+1,\,\sqrt{q})$ and generators of H(2r + 1, q), if q ≥ 81 is an odd square and i < (q2/3 − 1)/2. We also show that an i-tight set in the symplectic polar space W(2r + 1, q) is a union of pairwise disjoint generators of W(2r + 1, q), pairs of disjoint r-spaces {Δ, Δ⊥}, and (2r + 1)-dimensional Baer subgeometries. For W(2r + 1, q) with r even, pairs of disjoint r-spaces {Δ, Δ⊥} cannot occur. The (2r + 1)-dimensional Baer subgeometries in the i-tight set of W(2r + 1, q) are invariant under the symplectic polarity ⊥ of W(2r + 1, q) or they arise in pairs of disjoint Baer subgeometries corresponding to each other under ⊥. This improves previous results where $i \lt q^{5/8} / \sqrt{2} +1$ was assumed. Generalizing known techniques and using recent results on blocking sets and minihypers, we present an alternative proof of this result and consequently improve the upper bound on i to (q2/3 − 1)/2. We also apply our results on tight sets to improve a known result on maximal partial spreads in W(2r + 1, q).

A Characterization of the Hermitian Variety in Finite 3-Dimensional Projective Spaces

A combinatorial characterization of a non-singular Hermitian variety of the finite 3-dimensional projective space via its intersection numbers with respect to lines and planes is given. A corrigendum was added on March 29, 2019.

FINITE PROJECTIVE SPACES, GEOMETRIC SPREADS OF LINES AND MULTI-QUBITS

Given a (2N-1)-dimensional projective space over GF(2), PG (2N-1, 2), and its geometric spread of lines, there exists a remarkable mapping of this space onto PG (N-1, 4) where the lines of the spread correspond to the points and subspaces spanned by pairs of lines to the lines of PG (N-1, 4). Under such mapping, a nondegenerate quadric surface of the former space has for its image a nonsingular Hermitian variety in the latter space, this quadric being hyperbolic or elliptic in dependence on N being even or odd, respectively. We employ this property to show that generalized Pauli groups of N-qubits also form two distinct families according to the parity of N and to put the role of symmetric Pauli operators into a new perspective. The N = 4 case is taken to illustrate the issue, due to its link with the so-called black-hole/qubit correspondence.

On a Class of Hyperplanes of the Symplectic and Hermitian Dual Polar Spaces

Let $\Delta$ be a symplectic dual polar space $DW(2n-1,{\Bbb K})$ or a Hermitian dual polar space $DH(2n-1,{\Bbb K},\theta)$, $n \geq 2$. We define a class of hyperplanes of $\Delta$ arising from its Grassmann-embedding and discuss several properties of these hyperplanes. The construction of these hyperplanes allows us to prove that there exists an ovoid of the Hermitian dual polar space $DH(2n-1,{\Bbb K},\theta)$ arising from its Grassmann-embedding if and only if there exists an empty $\theta$-Hermitian variety in ${\rm PG}(n-1,{\Bbb K})$. Using this result we are able to give the first examples of ovoids in thick dual polar spaces of rank at least 3 which arise from some projective embedding. These are also the first examples of ovoids in thick dual polar spaces of rank at least 3 for which the construction does not make use of transfinite recursion.