Linear representation of Buekenhout-Metz unitals (Q1394826)

Let \(L\) be a normal line spread of \(PG(5,q)\). Consider the structure \(\pi(L)\) where points are the elements of \(L\) and whose lines are the line spreads induced by \(L\) on the three-dimensional spaces spanned by two distinct elements of \(L\), where incidence is the natural one. Then \(\pi(L)\) is isomorphic to \(PG(2,q^2)\), and this is often called the \textit{linear representation} of \(PG(2,q^2)\) in \(PG(5,q)\). In [\textit{J. A. Thas}, J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 35, 58-66 (1983; Zbl 0517.51015)] it is shown that in this linear representation a classical unital (Hermitian curve) corresponds to an elliptic quadric of \(PG(5,q)\), ruled by lines of \(L\). In the paper under review the author shows that in this linear representation a Buekenhout-Metz unital arising from an orthogonal cone corresponds to an algebraic hypersurface of degree four minus a complement of a line in a three-dimensional subspace. It is also shown that the hypersurface is reducible if and only if the unital is classical. Coordinate arguments are used throughout.