On linear blocking sets in \(PG(2,q^{t})\) (Q1849904)

Minimal blocking sets of PG\((2,q)\), \(q=p^n\), with \(p\) prime, of size less than \(3(q+1)/2\) (which are called small) have a very special structure, because they intersect every line in a number of points congruent to 1 modulo \(p\) [\textit{T. Szönyi}, Finite Fields Appl.\ 3, 187-202 (1997; Zbl 0912.51004)]. A family of small minimal blocking sets, called linear, in Desarguesian planes has been introduced in [\textit{G. Lunardon}, Geom.\ Dedicata 75, 245-261 (1999; Zbl 0944.51004)]. This family contains both small minimal blocking sets of Rédei type and small minimal blocking sets not of Rédei type. In the paper under review, a geometric characterization of linear blocking sets in PG\((2,q^t)\) of maximal size is given. Moreover, two new families of small minimal blocking sets not of Rédei type are constructed.