Epimorphisms of generalized polygons A: the planes, quadrangles and hexagons (Q2169842)

Generalizing a theorem of Skornjakov and Hughes on epimorphism of projective planes, \textit{A. Pasini} proved in [Geom. Dedicata 15, 389--397 (1984; Zbl 0537.51002)] that every epimorphism between thick generalized \(m\)-gons is either bijective or the fibers are infinite. If the target \(m\)-gon is thin, then the corresponding theorem does not hold. The authors show that, up to duality, every epimorphism from a finite projective plane \(\mathcal P\) to a thin projective plane, i.e. an ordinary triangle, is obtained as follows. There exists a line \(L\) of \(\mathcal P\) which is partioned into two nonempty subsets \(A\) and \(B\), the points of \(A\) are mapped to one point of the triangle, the points of \(B\) are mapped to another point of the triangle, and all other points of \(\mathcal P\) are mapped to the third point of the triangle. Similar descriptions are given for epimorphisms from finite generalized \(4\)- or \(6\)-gons to thin \(4\)- or \(6\)-gons, respectively. The authors generalize their results to epimorphisms from locally finitely generated generalized polygons and locally finitely chained generalized polygons to thin generalized polygons. Generalized octagons and generalized \(m\)-gons of arbitrary infinite order will be treated in a forthcoming paper.