\(r\)-fat linearized polynomials over finite fields (Q2120826)

In this paper, the authors study linear sets which have all but $r$ points of weight one. The approach uses the connection between curves and such linear sets similar to the approach taken in [\textit{D. Bartoli} and \textit{Y. Zhou}, J. Algebra 509, 507--534 (2018; Zbl 1393.51002); \textit{D. Bartoli} and \textit{M. Montanucci}, J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 179, Article ID 105386, 29 p. (2021; Zbl 1467.11112)] to study scattered linear sets (scattered polynomials). Scattered linear sets were introduced in [\textit{S. Ball} et al., Finite Fields Appl. 6, No. 4, 294--301 (2000; Zbl 0968.51006)] as a means to construct multiple blocking sets with interesting parameters in projective planes. The study of scattered linear sets was continued in [\textit{A. Blokhuis} and \textit{M. Lavrauw}, Geom. Dedicata 81, No. 1--3, 231--243 (2000; Zbl 0990.51004); J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 99, No. 2, 377--382 (2002; Zbl 1010.51005)] proving that they give new examples of strongly regular graphs, and hence two-weight codes. By now, many more connections have been made between scattered linear sets and other topics of interest in finite geometry, coding theory, and combinatorics. Many of these connections are explained in the survey [\textit{M. Lavrauw}, in: Contemporary developments in finite fields and applications. Based on the presentations at the 12th international conference on finite fields and their applications (Fq12), Saratoga Springs, NY, July 13--17, 2015. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific. 195--216 (2016; Zbl 1371.51003)] or in [\textit{G. Zini} and \textit{F. Zullo}, Des. Codes Cryptography 89, No. 8, 1853--1873 (2021; Zbl 1469.51006)]. A linear set in a projective space is called scattered if every point has weight one. If the linear set is contained in a line ${\mathrm{PG}}(1,q^n)$ then it can be represented as a the set of points with coordinates $(x,f(x))$, $x\in{\mathbb{F}}_{q^n}$, for some ${\mathbb{F}}_q$-linearized polynomial $f(x)\in {\mathbb{F}}_{q^n}[x]$, in which case the polynomial $f(x)$ is called scattered. Generalizing this idea, a polynomial $f(x)$ is called scattered of index $t$ if the points with coordinates $(x^t,f(x))$, $x\in{\mathbb{F}}_{q^n}$, form a scattered linear set (and if the same holds over infinitely many extension fields, then the polynomial is called exceptional). In this paper, the authors introduce the notion of an $r$-fat polynomial of index $t$, which corresponds to a linear set which is not scattered, but has exactly $r$ points with weight larger than one. When $r=1$ such linear sets are known as clubs. The authors use techniques from algebraic curves and function fields to obtain numerical bounds for the possible value of $r$. Furthermore, they determine the values of $r$ for which there exists at least one $r$-fat polynomial over ${\mathbb{F}}_{q^4}$, give examples of 1-fat polynomials over ${\mathbb{F}}_{q^5}$, and determine the spectrum of values $r$ for which polynomials of the form $x+\delta x^{q^{2s}}\in {\mathbb{F}}_{q^n}[x]$, with $\gcd(n,s)=1$, are $r$-flat.