Ovoids in finite uniform linear spaces (Q919270)

Let (S,\({\mathfrak L})\) be a finite linear space with \(q+1\geq 3\) points on each line. A point set C is called an ovoid if C is convex \((| C\cap L| \leq 2\) for \(L\in {\mathfrak L})\) and if for each \(p\in C\) the union of all tangent lines to C at p is a hyperplane (a proper subspace which meets every line). Theorem: If S contains an ovoid C, and if (S,\({\mathfrak L})\) is not a projective plane, then \(| S| =\sum^{3}_{\nu =0}q^{\nu}\). Moreover, C is a point set of an inversive plane with circles \(K_ x\) consisting of all \(p\in C\) such that px is a tangent of C. This is proved by counting arguments.