Error-correcting codes from higher-dimensional varieties (Q1604410)

The author generalizes the well-known construction of Goppa codes associated to curves over finite fields to higher-dimensional varieties. The Riemann-Roch theorem, used to estimate the parameters of the codes, is replaced by intersection theory. The author applies his method to certain Deligne-Lusztig surfaces, to Hermitian hypersurfaces and to certain ruled surfaces. The parameters of the codes he constructs are rather good. In some instances they meet the Griesmer bound.