A number theoretic conjecture and the existence of \(S\)-cyclic Steiner quadruple systems (Q1378863): Difference between revisions

A Steiner quadruple system, \(\text{SQS}(v)\), on point set \(V=\{0,1,2,\dots,v-1\}\) is cyclic if the permutation \(\alpha=(0 1 2\dots(v-1))\) is an automorphism of the design. An \(\text{SQS}(v)\) is strictly cyclic, \(S\)-cyclic, if the orbits of the automorphism group \(\langle\alpha\rangle\) all have length \(v\). \textit{M. J. Grannell} and \textit{T. S. Griggs} [Ars. Comb. 9, 51-58 (1980; Zbl 0449.05006)] proved that if an \(S\)-cyclic \(\text{SQS}(v)\) exists, then \(v=2n\) or \(4n\) and any prime \(p\) dividing \(n\) satisfies \(p\equiv 1,5\pmod{12}\); conjecturing that this condition is also sufficient. In this paper the author explores the case when every odd prime divisor \(p\) of \(v\) satisfies \(p\equiv 5\pmod{12}\), by focusing on a number theoretic claim which, if valid, would resolve the conjecture.