On inversive maximal period polynomials over finite fields (Q1894573)

Let \(GF (q)\) denote the finite field of order \(q\), where \(q\) is a prime power. A polynomial \(f(x)= x^2- bx- a\in GF(q)[x]\) is an inversive maximal period (IMP) polynomial if the least period of any inversive congruential generator \(X (x_0; a, b)\) is equal to \(q\). Here the sequence \(X(x_0; a, b)\) of elements of \(GF (q)\) is defined for a fixed element \(x_0\) for \(n\geq 0\) by \(x_{n+1}= ax_n^{-1} +b\) if \(x_n\neq 0\), and \(x_{n+1} =b\) if \(x_n =0\). The author characterizes IMP polynomials in terms of polynomials of order \(q+1\). He also studies various properties of IMP polynomials. It is known for example that every primitive polynomial of degree 2 is an IMP polynomial but not conversely.