On ovoids of the generalized quadrangle \(H(3,q^2)\) (Q2033482)

Taking a nonsingular Hermitian variety in \(\mathrm{PG}(3,q^2)\) together with the associated totally isotropic lines leads to the generalized quadrangle \(\mathrm{H}(3,q^2)\). An ovoid in \(\mathrm{H}(3,q^2)\) is a set of points that meets each line in a singleton. According to [\textit{E. E. Shult}, Discrete Math. 294, No. 1--2, 175--201 (2005; Zbl 1080.51001)], special examples, the locally Hermitian ovoids, are derived from suitable indicator sets of the affine plane \(\mathrm{AG}(2,q^2)\), which in turn are derived from so-called \(I\)-maps: here, \(f: \mathrm{GF}(q^2) \rightarrow \mathrm{GF}(q^2)\) is called an \(I\)-map if \((f(u)-f(v))/(u-v)\not\in \mathrm{GF}(q)\) holds for all \(u\not= v\) from \(\mathrm{GF}(q^2)\). Two \(I\)-maps are called equivalent if they lead to isomorphic ovoids. Combining Theorem 1.1 of the paper under review and Theorem 3.2 from [\textit{A. Cossidente} et al., Adv. Geom. 7, No. 3, 357--373 (2007; Zbl 1130.51003)] shows that equivalence of \(I\)-maps can be already checked on the level of maps. Using computer algebra systems, the author determines all \(I\)-maps up to equivalence for \(q\in\{2,3,4\}\). As a corollary, there are \(1\), \(3\) and \(7\) locally Hermitian ovals (up to isomorphism) for \(q=2\), \(3\) and \(4\), respectively. Furthermore, the author gives several conditions for maps of the form \(f(u)=\lambda u^e\) with \(\lambda\in \mathrm{GF}(q^2)\), \(1\leq e\leq q^2-1\), to be \(I\)-maps. It is worth noting that some of the ovoids derived from these ``\(I\)-monomials'' are new.