A characterization of Hermitian curves (Q1176183)

Hermitian curves can be characterized in various ways. The authors present a new characterization by showing that in \(PG(2,q)^ 2\), with \(q\neq 2\), an algebraic curve of degree \(q+1\), without linear components, and with at least \(q^ 3+1\) points in \(PG(2,q^ 2)\) is a Hermitian curve. They also explain why the result does not hold for \(GF(4)\) or if linear components are allowed.