Distance-preserving maps in generalized polygons. II: Maps on points and/or lines (Q1856582)

In [Beitr. Algebra Geom. 43, 89-110 (2002; Zbl 1009.51006)] the authors characterized isomorphisms of generalized polygons by considering maps of flags which preserve a fixed distance. In the article under review, subsequent to the cited one, these isomorphisms are characterized by maps on points and/or lines which preserve a fixed distance. More precisely, a map on points which is surjective and preserves an \(i\)-distance (\(1\leq i\leq n-1\)) extends to an isomorphism of the corresponding generalized \(n\)-gons if \(i\) is even; if \(i\) is odd, such an isomorphism is obtained by extending a surjective map on points and lines preserving the \(i\)-distance (\(1\leq i \leq n-1\)). Both assertions hold under the condition that the orders of the two generalized polygons both contain \(2\), or both do not. The main idea of the proof is to show, in the different cases, that collinearity of points is preserved. The last section contains some counterexamples and two applications.