Automorphisms and isomorphisms of some \(p\)-ary bent functions (Q2187745)

In this continuation of the author's paper [Commun. Algebra 34, No. 3, 1077--1131 (2006; Zbl 1085.05019)] on Boolean (bent) functions, \(p\)-ary bent functions are similarly investigated. EA-equivalence of (bent) functions is in general not easy to decide. Simple invariants, like algebraic degree, are usually not sufficient to decide equivalence of bent functions, stronger methods seem necessary. In this paper, group-theoretic methods are applied to analyse equivalence of (some classes of) \(p\)-ary bent functions. For a given (bent) function \(f\) from an \(n\)-dimensional vector space \(V\) over \(\mathbb{F}_p\) to \(\mathbb{F}_p\), the author considers the group \(\mathbf{EA}(f)\) of EA automorphisms, i.e. \(\phi_{11} \in (V)\), \(\phi_{22} \in \mathrm{GL}(\mathbb{F}_p)\), \(\phi_{12} \in \Hom(V,\mathbb{F}_p)\) and \(v\in V, w\in \mathbb{F}_p\) such that \[ f(\phi_{11}(x)+v) = \phi_{22}(f(x)) + \phi_{12}(x) + w \quad\text{for all }x\in V. \] The structure of this group is invariant under EA-equivalence. As another invariant under EA-equivalence for \(p\)-ary functions, the author suggests the set \(\{v\in V, D_v^2f = 0\}\), where \(D_vf(x) = f(x+v)-f(x)\) denotes the derivative of \(f\) in direction \(v\). In the first part, the author discusses a secondary construction of three types of (non-quadratic) bent functions \(f\), describes \(\mathbf{EA}(f)\) and as a consequence solves the equivalence problem for these types of bent functions. In the second part of the paper, \(\mathbf{EA}(f)\) is described for Maiorana-McFarland bent functions of the form \(\mathrm{Tr}_n(xy^l)\), \(\gcd(l,p^n-1) = 1\), and the question when two such bent functions are EA-equivalent is solved.