A Bruen chain for \(q=19\) (Q1335414)

Let \(\Omega\) be a regular spread of \(\text{PG} (3,q)\). A \(t\)-nest is a set of \(t\) reguli in \(\Omega\) such that every line of \(\text{PG} (3,q)\) is contained in exactly 0 or 2 of these reguli. The smallest possible size of \(t\) is \((q+3)/2\), and in this case the nest is called a Bruen chain. Bruen chains have been constructed for all odd prime powers \(q\) with \(5 \leq q \leq 17\). In this paper, the authors construct a Bruen chain for \(q=19\). It is replaceable, i.e., there is a partial spread that covers exactly the same points as the chain. The replacement yields a translation plane \(\pi\) with no non-trivial elation and homologies. Moreover, the translation complement of \(\pi\) is a solvable group \(G\) of order 2160 with a normal cyclic subgroup \(F\) such that \(G/F \cong A_ 4\). The authors note that Heden also found Bruen chains for \(q=23\) and 31.