Generating orthomorphisms of \(GF(q)^ +\) (Q1084399)

Let G be a group, written additively whether abelian or not, and let 0 be its identity element. An orthomorphism of G is a bijection \(\theta\) : \(G\to G\) for which the mapping \(\eta\) : \(G\to G\) defined by \(x\eta:=x\theta -x\) is also a bijection and for which \(0\theta =0\eta =0\). Orthomorphisms can be used in the construction of sets of mutually orthogonal latin squares and in the construction of affine planes. In the paper under review, the special case \(G=GF(q)^+\) is investigated, where \(GF(q)^+\) is the additive group of the field of order q, and it is shown that all orthomorphisms of \(GF(q)^+\) can be constructed from solutions of systems of linear equations over GF(q). Then this technique is used to construct all orthomorphisms of \(GF(q)^+\) for \(q\leq 8\).