Transfinite methods in geometry (Q1330770)

The authors show that many difficult questions in finite geometry can be easily resolved in infinite geometries, typically by using transfinite induction. For example a Steiner system \(S(t,k,v)\) consists of a \(v\)-set of points with a collection of \(k\)-subsets, called blocks, so that any \(t\) points lie in a unique block. Here it is assumed \(v\) is an infinite cardinal number, and \(k\) may be finite or infinite. An \(r\)-fold extension of an infinite projective plane is a Steiner system \(S(r + 2,v,v)\) having the property that no two blocks meet in exactly \(r\) points. It is shown here that any infinite projective plane has an \(r\)-fold extension in which any two blocks meet in \(r + 1\) points. As another example infinite analogues of ovoids are constructed. More precisely, let \(n\) and \(k\) be integers greater than or equal to 2, and let \(F\) be an infinite field. Then it is shown that there is a set \(S\) of points in \(PG(n,F)\) such that (a) \(| S\cap L|=0,1\) or \(k\) for any line \(L\), and (b) for any point \(p \in S\), the union of lines \(L\) satisfying \(S \cap L = \{p\}\) is a hyperplane \(H_ p\). The paper closes with a number of open problems.