Gauss sums, Jacobi sums, and \(p\)-ranks of cyclic difference sets (Q1296754)

Recently, new cyclic difference sets with the classical parameters \((2^d-1,2^{d-1},2^{d-2})\) have been constructed using hyperovals. It was not clear whether these constructions yield inequivalent difference sets. The authors show that, with only a few exceptions, the Singer difference sets, the GMW difference sets and the recently constructed differences arising from hyperovals [see \textit{A. Maschietti}, Difference sets and hyperovals, Des. Codes Cryptography 14, No. 1, 89-98 (1998; Zbl 0887.05010)] are inequivalent. In fact, the authors prove a stronger result: They show that the \(2\)-ranks of the difference set codes are different. In order to do this, they relate the ranks to the prime factorization of certain Gauss sums. They use Stickelberger's theorem to translate the problem into a combinatorial question on binary strings. The results of the paper as well as the proofs are interesting and important. It should be noted that even more constructions of difference sets with the classical parameters have been found recently by J. F. Dillon and H. Dobbertin. Using \(2\)-ranks, Dillon and Dobbertin can also show that their new difference sets are inequivalent.