On maximal curves (Q1376254)

A maximal curve is a curve over the finite field \({\mathbb{F}}_{q^2}\) that attains the Hasse-Weil bound on the maximum number of \({\mathbb{F}}_{q^2}\)-rational points. \textit{H.-G. Rück} and \textit{H. Stichtenoth} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 457, 185-188 (1994; Zbl 0802.11053)] showed that the Hermitian curve, given by \(y^q+y=x^{q+1}\), is the unique maximal curve of genus \(q(q-1)/2\) over \({\mathbb{F}}_{q^2}\). By using similar techniques, the authors show that if a maximal curve \(X\) has a rational point \(P_0\) with a nongap \(m\) such that \(mn=q+1\), where \(n+2=\dim L((q+1)P_0)\), then \(X\) is isomorphic to the curve \(y^q+y=x^m\). As a consequence, they show that the curve \(y^q+y=x^{(q+1)/2}\) is the unique maximal curve of genus \((q-1)^2/4\). Examples are given of maximal curves that do not satisfy the above nongap condition. It is also shown that a maximal curve of genus at least \(q-1\) must be nonclassical (for the canonical morphism), while the authors show that the Deligne-Lusztig curves associated to the Suzuki and Ree groups give examples of nonclassical maximal curves of genus less than \(q-1\).