Strongly regular \((\alpha,\beta)\)-geometries (Q5947363)

An \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometry \(S\) is a connected partial linear space with the property that for every antiflag \((x,L)\) of \(S\) there are either \(\alpha\) or \(\beta\) lines through \(x\) intersecting \(L\). This concept was introduced by \textit{F. De Clerck} and \textit{H. Van Maldeghem} [Eur. J. Comb. 15, No. 1-3, 3-11 (1994; Zbl 0794.51005)]. The authors call an \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometry strongly regular if there exist integers \(p\) and \(r\) such that if points \(x\) and \(y\) are collinear, respectively not collinear, then there exist \(p\), respectively \(r\), lines on \(x\) which are intersected by exactly \(\alpha \) lines through \(x\). If \(\alpha =\beta\), then the geometry is a partial geometry and if \(\alpha =0\) it is a semipartial geometry. The point graph of a strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometry is a strongly regular graph. The paper outlines the basic properties of strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometries. The results and methods are similar to those for semipartial geometries. Necessary conditions for the existence of strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometries are given, including the familiar Krein conditions and the absolute bound for strongly regular graphs. \textit{J. A. Thas} [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 35, 58-66 (1983; Zbl 0517.51015)] defined SRG reguli and used these to construct semipartial geometries. (In the present paper an incorrect reference is given.) The concept is generalized as follows: A strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-regulus is a collection \(\mathcal{R}\) of \(m\)-dimensional subspaces of PG(\(n,q\)), \(|\mathcal{R}|>1\), satisfying (i) \(\Sigma _i \cap \Sigma _j = \emptyset \) for every \(\Sigma _i,\Sigma _j \in \mathcal{R}, \Sigma _i\neq \Sigma _j\), (ii) if an \((m+1)\)-dimensional subspace contains some \(\Sigma _i\in \mathcal{R}\), then it has a point in common with \(\alpha\) or \(\beta\) subspaces of \(\mathcal{R}- \{ \Sigma _i\} \). Such an \((m+1)\)-dimensional subspace that meets \(\alpha\) elements of \(\mathcal{R}-\{ \Sigma _i \}\) is said to be an \(\alpha\)-secant to \(\mathcal{R}\) at \(\Sigma _i\) and similarly for \(\beta\)-secants, (iii) if a point of PG(\(n,q\)) is contained in an element \(\Sigma \) of \(\mathcal{R}\), then it is contained in a constant number \(p\) of \(\alpha\)-secant \((m+1)\)-dimensional spaces of \(\mathcal{R}-\{ \Sigma\}\), and (iv) if a point of PG(\(n,q\)) is contained in no element of \(\mathcal{R}\), then it is contained in a constant number \(r\) of \(\alpha\)-secant \((m+1)\)-dimensional spaces of \(\mathcal{R}\). If \(\alpha =0\), then a strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-regulus is an SPG regulus as defined by Thas. The reguli are used to give several constructions of strongly regular \((\alpha ,\beta)\)-geometries. A list of possible parameters of existence for small cases is given.