On the classification of polar spaces (Q1312227)

The authors provide a new proof of the theorem that each non-degenerate polar space \({\mathcal S}\) of rank at least 4 with no short lines (consisting of 2 points only) is classical. In a previous paper [Geom. Dedicata 44, No. 3, 349-358 (1992; Zbl 0772.51007)] they had constructed an embedding of a cone \(p^ \perp\) of \({\mathcal S}\) into a projective space. This embedding is used here to introduce a polarity already at this stage. The arguments then rely on the following theorem due to Tits: Let \(p_ i\) be a point of the non-degenerate polar space \({\mathcal S}_ i\) of rank at least 3 without short lines, and assume that \(p_ 1^ \perp\) is isomorphic to \(p_ 2^ \perp\). Then \({\mathcal S}_ 1\) is isomorphic to \({\mathcal S}_ 2\).