Non-classical polar unitals in finite Dickson semifield planes (Q2441403)

In this paper, the authors prove the existence of O'Nan configurations [\textit{M. E. O'Nan}, J. Algebra 20, 495--511 (1972; Zbl 0241.05013)] in all cases. The authors also give an alternative proof by demonstrating the invalidity of the second condition of \textit{H. Wilbrink} [Lect. Notes Pure Appl. Math. 82, 445--454 (1983; Zbl 0507.05014)] in unitals. It is known that two semifields define isomorphic projective planes if and only if the semifields are isotopic, so it is shown that a unital \(U(\sigma_1)\) is isomorphic to a unital \(U(\sigma_2)\) if and only if \(\sigma_1 = \sigma_2\) or \(\sigma_1 = \sigma_2^{-1}\). The authors' proof extends to the case of the identity automorphism, this gives a third and extrinsic proof that \(U(\sigma)\) is not classical. The authors prove that the isotopism gives rise to an isomorphism between the ambient Dickson semifield planes. As a result they obtain that the automorphism group \(\mathrm{Aut}(U)\) of the design \(U\) equals \(\mathrm{Col}(U)\). They extend Ganley's result and show that O'Nan configurations exist in all Dickson-Ganley unitals, with the consequence that these unitals are not classical. They prove that Wilbrink's condition (II) does not hold at any affine absolute point, so giving an alternative proof of the same conclusion. They also prove that Wilbrink's condition (II) holds at the absolute point in a strong form. They prove some results on automorphisms of associated designs essential for our targets. They solve an isomorphism problem for the Dickson-Ganley unitals, prove the main extension theorem, and determine their automorphism groups.