Generalized polygons with valuation (Q1112327)

The aim of the paper is to give a common geometric characterization of the geometry at infinity of all affine buildings of rank 3. Therefore, the notion of a ``generalized polygon with valuation'' is introduced as a geometric generalization of fields with valuation. A valuation on a generalized polygon is a map from the set of pairs of collinear points and pairs of concurrent lines onto the set of positive integers, satisfying some axioms. It is shown that generalized n-gons with valuation cannot exist unless \(n=3,4\) or 6 (assuming \(n>2)\). The case \(n=3\), resp. \(n=4\) corresponds to the geometry of the building at infinity of the affine buildings of type \(\tilde A_ 2\), resp. \(\tilde C_ 2\). The paper reinforces the conjecture that the class of generalized hexagons with valuation corresponds to the class of spherical buildings at infinity of affine buildings of type \(\tilde G_ 2\).