Non-embedding of non prime-power unitals with point-regular group (Q1185086)

The absolute points and non-absolute lines of a unitary polarity of \(\text{PG}(2,u^ 2)\) forms a block design 2-\((u^ 3+1,u+1,1)\) which is called a unital with parameter \(u\) (of course in this case \(u\) is a prime power). \textit{R. Mathon} in [Combinatorial design theory. Dedic. A. Rosa Occas. 50th Birthday, Ann. Discrete Math. 34, 353-362 (1987; Zbl 0647.05015)] has constructed a class of cyclic Steiner 2-designs including a unital with parameter 6. This is the first example of a unital with parameter not a prime power. \textit{B. Bagchi} and \textit{S. Bagchi} in [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 52, No. 1, 51-61 (1989; Zbl 0679.05008)] have given constructions for Steiner 2-designs with a point-regular group which include the unitals of Mathon with parameter 6. Regarding the above the authors of the paper under review ask the following exciting question: Can we embed the unitals with parameter \(u\) arising from these construction in a projective plane of order \(u\) as the absolute points and non-absolute lines of a polarity? If this is so then we obtain the first finite projective planes of non prime-power order. In the paper under review the authors prove that if the unitals \(U(n)\) constructed by B. Bagchi and S. Bagchi can be embedded in a finite projective plane \(\pi\) of order \(u\) in such a way that \(U(n)\) arises from the absolute points and non-absolute lines of a polarity \(\sigma\) of \(\pi\) and such that the point-regular automorphism group of the unital is induced by an automorphism group of \(\pi\), then \(u=2\). Therefore the unitals constructed by B. Bagchi and S. Bagchi other than \(U(2)\) can not be embedded in a projective plane with the above property.