A characterisation of Baer subplanes (Q2186666)

A ruled cubic surface in \(\mathrm{PG}(4,q)\) is a variety \(V_2^3\) which rules a line and a conic according to projectivity. The authors prove that, if \(K\) is a set of \(q^2+2q+1\) points in \(\mathrm{PG}(4,q)\) such that every \(3\)-space meets \(K\) in either one, two or three lines, a line and a non-degenerate conic, or a twisted cubic, then \(K\) is a ruled cubic surface. Additionally, \(K\) corresponds to a tangent Baer subplace of \(\mathrm{PG}(2,q^2)\). Using this result, they prove that, if \(B\) is a set of \(q^2+q+1\) points in \(\mathrm{PG}(2,q^2)\), \(q \geq 5\), with \(T= B\cap \ell_{\infty}\) a point, then \(B\) is a Baer subplane if and only if every \(\ell_{\infty}\)-Baer pencil meets \(B\) in either a point; one or two Baer sublines; or a non-degenerate \(F_q\)-conic.