Dualities for infinite-dimensional projective geometries (Q1900068)

A coupling between two projective geometries \(P_1\) and \(P_2\) is defined to be a pair of mappings \((g_1, g_2)\) such that \(g_1: P_1 \setminus E_1\to P^*_2\), \(g_2: P_2\setminus E_2\to P^*_1\), where an asterisk marks the corresponding dual space and \(E_1\), \(E_2\) are subspaces, satisfying the following conditions: (1) \(x\in E_1 \iff x\in g_2 (b)\) for all \(b\not\in P_2\setminus E_2\), (2) \(y\in E_2 \iff y\in g_1 (a)\) for all \(a\not\in P_1\setminus E_1\), (3) \(b\in g_1 (a) \iff a\in g_2 (b)\) for all \(a\not\in P_1\setminus E_1\), \(b\not\in P_2\setminus E_2\). The mapping \(g_1\) is shown to be homomorphism of \(P_1\) into the dual of \(P_2\) (likewise for \(g_2\)). Conversely, a homomorphism \(g_1\) gives rise to a coupling. The term ``homomorphism'' is understood as a special type of ``morphism'' between projective geometries as defined and discussed by the authors in ibid. 47, No. 1, 25-40 (1993; Zbl 0784.51003) and ibid. 53, No. 3, 237-262 (1994; Zbl 0826.51002). If \(P_1\), \(P_2\) are taken over vector spaces then each sesquilinear form gives rise to a coupling. The converse is true if the image of \(g_1\) contains three non-collinear points. Special attention is paid to polarities \((g_1= g_2\), \(E_1= \emptyset)\) and their relationship with non-degenerate orthosymmetric sesquilinear forms. Reviewer's remark: The ``(homo)morphisms'' mentioned above have been investigated and characterized independently (in different settings and terminology) by several authors, e.g. \textit{H. Brauner} [Monatsh. Math. 77, 10-20 (1973; Zbl 0256.50013) (using the term ``lineare Abbildungen''), and ``Geometrie projektiver Räume.'' I, II, BI- Wissenschaftsverlag, Mannheim Wien Zürich (1976; Zbl 0332.50010, Zbl 0336.50002) (``singuläre Kollineationen'')], \textit{K. Sörensen} [Mitt. Math. Ges. Hamb. 11, 303-309 (1985; Zbl 0589.51003) (``Projektionen'')], the reviewer [Mitt. Math. Semin. Gießen 215, 27-41 (1994; Zbl 0803.51004) (``weak linear mappings'')], \textit{Th. Pfeiffer} and \textit{St. E. Schmidt} [J. Geom. 54, No. 1-2, 105-114 (1995) (``projective mappings'')]. Polarities have been characterized (in more or less the same way) by \textit{H. Lenz} [Math. Ann. 128, 363-372 (1954; Zbl 0056.138) and ibid. 133, 39-40 (1957; Zbl 0077.138)]\ using the name ``Quasipolaritäten'' in order to distinguish from the finite- dimensional case. See also \textit{F. Buekenhout}, Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 191, 69-71 (1993; Zbl 0789.51005).