Partial geometries \(\mathbf{pg}(s,t,\mathbf 2\)) with an abelian Singer group and a characterization of the van Lint-Schrijver partial geometry (Q2509193)

The author studies partial geometries \(\mathcal P\) = pg\((s,t,\alpha)\), \( \alpha=2\), which are defined as a finite linear space \(\mathcal S\) of order \((s,t)\) such that for every antiflag \((p,L)\) of \(\mathcal S\) there are exactly \(\alpha\) lines through \(p\) intersecting \(L\), as well as abelian groups of automorphisms of \(\mathcal P\) acting regularly on the point set of \(\mathcal P\). It is a long standing conjecture whether or not such a geometry is Desarguesian or not. While a proof of this conjecture seems to be out of reach utilizing today's techniques, the paper under review provides new insights. It is shown that if \(G\) is an abelian Singer group then either \(t \equiv 2\) (mod \( (s+1))\) or \(s=t=5\) and \(\mathcal P\) is isomorphic to the partial geometry of \textit{J. H. van Lint} and \textit{A. Schijver} [Combinatorica 1, 63--73 (1981; Zbl 0491.05018)].