On large complete arcs: Odd case (Q1849889)

A \(k\)-arc in a projective plane is a set of \(k\) points no three of which are collinear. An arc is complete if it is not properly contained in another arc. It is well known that the maximum size of a \(k\)-arc in a desarguesian projective plane of order \(q\) is \(q+1\) if \(q\) is odd and \(q+2\) if \(q\) is even. This paper is concerned with the second largest size that a complete \(k\)-arc in a desarguesian plane can have. Inspired by results of \textit{J. F. Voloch} [Advances in finite geometries and designs, 401-406 (1991; Zbl 0734.51010)] and \textit{J. W. P. Hirschfeld} and \textit{G. Korchmáros} [Bull. Belg. Math. Soc. 5, 313-340 (1998; Zbl 0924.11053)], the authors use irreducible envelopes to deduce general upper bounds. In particular, these bounds yield independent proofs of previously established results.