Linearized polynomials and their adjoints, and some connections to linear sets and semifields (Q2232207)

By identifying an \(n\)-dimensional vector space over \(\mathbb{F}_q\) with the field \(\mathbb{F}_q^n\), the linear mappings from this vector space to itself become \(q\)-linearized polynomials. This vector space is naturally equipped with the bilinear form \((x,y) \mapsto \operatorname{tr}(xy)\), where \(\operatorname{tr}\) denotes the trace map from \(\mathbb{F}_q^n\) to \(\mathbb{F}_q\). The authors give a new short proof of the known result that for each \(q\)-linearized polynomial \(L\), the mappings \(x \mapsto L(x)/x\) and \(x \mapsto L^{\ast}(x)/x\) have the same image, where \(L^{\ast}\) denotes the adjoint of \(L\). They also point out some applications of this result to semifields and planar functions. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1470.11003].