Pointless hyperelliptic curves (Q1946685)

In this paper, the authors ask the following question: For which tuples \((g,q)\) of non-negative integers \(g\) and prime powers \(q\) does there exist a hyperelliptic curve \(C\) of genus \(g(C)=g\) which is defined over a finite field \(\mathbb{F}_q\) but has no \(\mathbb{F}_q\)-rational points? The authors take the viewpoint of fixing odd values of \(q\) and varying \(g\) and approach the topic by the following observation on the quadratic twist of a hyperelliptic curve. If \(C\) is a hyperelliptic of genus \(g\) defined over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) given by the equation \(y^2=f(x)\) and \(N(C)\) its number of \(\mathbb{F}_q\)-rational points, then the quadratic twist \(\tilde{C}\) of \(C\) by a nonsquare \(a\in\mathbb{F}_q\) given by the equation \(y^2=a f(x)\) is a hyperelliptic of genus \(g\) defined over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(2q+2-N(C)\) \(\mathbb{F}_q\)-rational points. Thus if \(C\) is a hyperelliptic curve of genus \(g\) defined over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(N(C)=2q+2\), then \(\tilde{C}\) is pointless. The original questions thus reduces to the following question: For which triples \((g,q,q+2)\) of non-negative integers \(g\) and prime powers \(q\) does there exist a hyperelliptic curve \(C\) defined over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(g(C)=g\) and \(N(C)=2q+2\)? In a recent article, [\textit{H. Stichtenoth}, Finite Fields Appl. 17, No. 6, 552--559 (2011; Zbl 1276.11104)] answered a more general question for algebraic curves positively by showing that for any non-negative integer \(N\) and prime power \(q\), there is an integer \(g_0\geq 0\) such that for every \(g\geq g_0\) there exists a curve \(C\) of genus \(g\) over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(N(C)=N\). The authors in this paper now consider the analogous question for hyperelliptic curves of odd characteristic. By considering specific classes of hyperelliptic curves and conditions on \(g\), the authors suggest constructions of pointless hyperelliptic curves. The proofs are mainly straight forward and some results are verified numerically. The most notable result is mentioned in the abstract: If \(\frac{p-1}{2}\) is a Sophie Germain prime, i.e. both \(p\) and \(\frac{p-1}{2}\) are primes, then there is a pointless hyperelliptic curve of genus \(g\) over \(\mathbb{F}_p\). Reviewer's remarks: The notation of the article is confusing. The meaning of \(q\) changes from a power of \(p\) to \(\frac{p-1}2\). The abstract highly overstates the actual accomplishments.