Notes on semiarcs (Q1762375)

Let \(\Pi_q\) be a projective plane of order \(q\). A non-empty pointset \(\mathcal{S}_{t} \subset \Pi_{q}\) is called a \(t\)-semiarc if for every point \(P \in \mathcal{S}_{t}\) there exist exactly \(t\) tangent lines containing \(P\). If a line meets \(\mathcal{S}_{t}\) in \(1 < k\) points, then it is called a \(k\)-secant of \(\mathcal{S}_{t}\). Semiarcs are generalization of semiovals (i.e. \(t\)-semiarcs with \(t=1\)). Let \(\mathcal{S}_1\) be a semioval contained in three concurrent lines \(\ell_1,\ell_2,\ell_3\) through \(V\). \(\mathcal{S}_1\) is called strong if for every \(P \in (\ell_1 \cup \ell_2 \cup \ell_3) \setminus (\mathcal{S}_1 \cup \{V\})\) the number of \(2\)-secants of \(\mathcal{S}_1\) through \(P\) is independent of \(P\). In this paper, the authors give a general bound on the maximal size of a \(t\)-semiarc in \(\Pi_q\) and they show better estimations for \(t\)-semiarcs containing long secants. Moreover characterizations on \(t\)-semiarcs contained in the union of three concurrent lines are presented. Finally the complete classification of strong semiovals in \(\mathrm{PG}(2,q)\), \(q\) odd, is given.