Bounding the number of \(\mathbb F_q\)-rational places in algebraic function fields using Weierstrass semigroups (Q1008764)

Let \(\mathbb{F}/\mathbb{F}_q\) be an algebraic function field of one variable such that the finite field \(\mathbb{F}_q\) is the full constant field. Let \(N(\mathbb{F})\) be the number of rational places of \(\mathbb{F}\). If \(\lambda_1\) is the smallest positive nongap of a rational place then the inequality \(N(\mathbb{F})\leq q\lambda_1 + 1\) holds, as showed by \textit{J. Lewittes} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra, 69, No. 2, 177--183 (1990; Zbl 0723.11061)]. Let \(\Lambda\) be a numerical semigroup generated by the positive integers \(\lambda_1 < \dots < \lambda_m\). If \(\Lambda\) is Weierstrass semigroup at a rational place in some function field \(\mathbb{F}/\mathbb{F}_q\) then let \(N_q(\Lambda)\) be the highest of all integers \(N(\mathbb{F})\); otherwise let \(N_q(\Lambda)=0\). In the paper under review, the authors improve the above Lewittes' result and obtain the following upper bound \(N_q(\Lambda)\leq \sharp\left(\Lambda \backslash \bigcup_{i=1}^m (q\lambda_i + \Lambda)\right)\), where \(q\lambda_i + \Lambda = \{q\lambda_i + \lambda; \lambda \in \Lambda\}\). Given an integer \(g\), the authors use this inequality to given upper bound for the highest integer \(N_q(g)\) such that a genus \(g\) function field \(\mathbb{F}/\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(N(\mathbb{F})=N_q(g)\) exist. They also prove that a tower of function fields with telescopic Weierstrass semigroups at rational places is asymptotically bad.