On consecutive primitive \(n\)th roots of unity modulo \(q\) (Q503742)

The authors give conditions under which a finite field of prime order \(q\) has adjacent elements (i.e of form \(\alpha\) and \(\alpha+1\)) of multiplicative order \(n\in{\mathbb N}\). Properties of the \(n\)th cyclotomic polynomial \(\Phi_n(x)\) imply that such an \(\alpha\) exists if and only if \(\Phi_n(x)\) and \(\Phi_n(x+1)\) over \({\mathbb Q}\) share a root in the algebraic closure of \({\mathbb Z}_q\). This observation reduces the problem to study the resultant \(\Gamma_n\) of \(\Phi_n(x)\) and \(\Phi_n(x+1)\). Moreover \(\Phi_n(x)\) splits in \({\mathbb Z}_q[x]\) if and only if \(q\equiv 1 \pmod n\) what reduces the problem to find prime divisors of \(\Gamma_n\) which are \(\equiv 1 \pmod{n}\). The authors prove the existence of such divisors for all \(n\neq 1,2,3,6\). They also give an upper bound on the size and quantity of these divisors. In the course of their study Lucas and Mersenne divisors of \(\Gamma_n\) are exhibited.