Truncated \(D_ n\) Coxeter complexes as extended partial geometries with maximum diameter (Q1184575)

An extended partial geometry \(EpG_ \alpha(s,t)\) of order \((s,t)\) is a residually connected rank 3 geometry for the diagram \((c.pG_ \alpha)\) \[ \underset {1}\circ\overset {c}{\strut\diagrbar\strut}\underset {s}\circ\overset pG_ \alpha{\strut\diagrbar\strut}\underset {t}\circ \] satisfying the intersection property of \textit{F. Buekenhout} [Lect. Notes Math. 893, 1-29 (1981; Zbl 0491.51011)]. In Eur. J. Comb. 12, No. 4, 293-307 (1991) the authors proved that the diameter \(\Delta\) of \(EpG_ \alpha(s,t)\) with \(\alpha\geq 2\) is bounded by \([s/2]- \varphi+4\), where \(\varphi\) is the index of the geometry (i.e. the minimum positive antiflag number). An example of \(EpG_ 2(s,1)\) with \(\varphi=\alpha+1=3\) attaining the bounds is given by a truncated \(D_{s+2}\) Coxeter complex. In this paper they prove that if \({\mathcal S}=EpG_ \alpha(s,t)\) with even \(s\) and with diameter \(\Delta=[s/2]- \varphi+4>3\), then \(\alpha=2\), \(s\geq 6\) and \(t=1\); if furthermore \(\varphi=\alpha+1\), then \(\mathcal S\) is isomorphic to \(D_{s+2}\). In the case \(s\) odd, the authors give a characterization which still suggests the conjecture that \(D_{s+2}\) is the unique example (apart from few sporadic cases). The classification of \(EpG_ 1(s,t)\) with maximum diameter was given by the authors in Discrete Math (to appear). In this case the unique example (apart from few sporadic cases) was given by the Johnson geometry which can also be described by a truncation of a Coxeter complex of type \(A_{2s+1}\).