The maximum size of a partial spread in \(H(4n+1, q^{2})\) is \(q^{2n+1}+1\) (Q1028806)

A \textit{partial spread} of a (finite) polar space is any set of pairwise disjoint generators. A partial spread is called \textit{maximal} or \textit{complete} if it cannot be extended to a larger partial spread. If a partial spread partitions all the points of the polar space, it is called a \textit{spread}. It is known [see \textit{J.~A. Thas}, Combinatorics '90, Proc. Conf., Gaeta/Italy 1990, Ann. Discrete Math. 52, 529--544 (1992; Zbl 0767.51004)]) that the Hermitian polar space \(H(2n+1,q^2)\) does not admit a spread. In [\textit{A. Aguglia}, \textit{A. Cossidente}, and \textit{G.~L. Ebert}, Des. Codes Cryptography 29, No.\,1-3, 7--15 (2003; Zbl 1042.51002)] a general construction for partial spreads of size \(q^{n+1}+1\) in \(H(2n+1,q^2)\) is given, where it is also shown that this partial spread is maximal for \(n=1,2\). This latter result is extended in [\textit{D. Luyckx}, Discrete Math. 308, No.\,2-3, 375--379 (2008; Zbl 1143.51005)], where it is shown that the above partial spreads are maximal whenever \(n\) is even. In the paper under review it is shown that, whenever \(n\) is even, the maximum cardinality for a partial spread in \(H(2n+1,q^2)\) is \(q^{n+1}+1\), and hence the above partial spreads are as large as possible in this case. The bound is proven by using eigenvalue techniques on the associated dual polar graph. It should be mentioned that this upper bound was previously known for \(n=2\) (see [\textit{J. De Beule} and \textit{K. Metsch}, J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 114, No.\,4, 761--768 (2007; Zbl 1116.51007)]).