Intersection sets in AG(\(n,q\)) and a characterization of the hyperbolic quadric in PG\((3,q\)) (Q1849908)

In the paper under review an improvement is made to Bruen's bound [\textit{A. A. Bruen}, J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 60, No. 1, 19-33 (1992; Zbl 0754.05024)] for \(t\)-intersection sets in \(AG(n,q)\). Namely, it is shown that if \(A\) is a \(t\)-intersection set with respect to hyperplanes in \(AG(n,q)\) meeting Bruen's lower bound of \((n + t - 1)(q - 1) + 1\), then either \(n = 2\) and \(t = q\), or else \(t \leq {1\over 2}[(n-1)(q-1)+1]\). Thus, if \(t > {1 \over 2}[(n-1)(q-1) + 1]\), than the above lower cannot be met by a \(t\)-intersection set in \(AG(n,q)\), provided \((n,q) \neq (2,t)\). Several examples are discussed, leading to the following characterization theorem for 3-dimensional hyperbolic quadrics. Suppose \(S\) is a set of points in \(PG(3,q)\) such that every affine plane meets \(S\) in at least \(q-1\) points. Then it is shown that \(|S|\geq (q+1)^2\), and equality holds if and only if \(S\) is a hyperbolic quadric.