Function fields of class number one (Q2343187)

Let \(K\) be a congruence function field with field of constants the finite field \({\mathbb F}_q\) of \(q\) elements. In [Acta Arith. 20, 423--432 (1972; Zbl 0237.12007)], \textit{M. L. Madan} and \textit{C. S. Queen} showed that with one possible exception, there exist seven function fields \(K\) of positive genus and class number one. The possible exception would be a field of genus \(4\) over \({\mathbb F}_2\) and such that \(N_1=N_2=N_3=0\) and \(N_4=1\) where \(N_i\) denotes the number of places in \(K\) of degree \(i\). In [\textit{J. R. C. Leitzel} et al., J. Number Theory 7, 11--27 (1975; Zbl 0318.12009)] Leitzel, M. Madan and C. Queen claimed that such exception in fact does not exist. However in [J. Number Theory 143, 402--404 (2014; Zbl 1296.11144)] \textit{C. Stirpe} found a field \(K\) over \({\mathbb F}_2\) of genus \(4\) and class number one. The method of Leitzel, Madan and Queen consisted of showing that the possible field \(K\) should be defined by the intersection of a cubic surface and a quadratic surface. Then the problem is reduced to checking \(64\) cases. Thus the problem was merely computational. They had to verify if some of these cases satisfy \(N_1=N_2=N_3=0\) and \(N_4=1\). Sixty three of these fields fail this condition but exactly one satisfies the condition. The paper under review just checks again the cases given by Leitzel, Madan and Queen fixing the gap. The same result appears in a paper of \textit{P. Mercuri} and \textit{C. Stirpe} [J. Number Theory 154, 365--374 (2015; Zbl 1323.11094)]. In the paper of Mercuri and Stirpe it is also given a structural proof of the uniqueness of the field \(K\) over \({\mathbb F}_2\) of genus \(4\) and class number \(1\). They use the basic properties of function fields and class field theory to show the existence of a unique function field \(K/{\mathbb F}_2\) of genus \(4\) and such that \(N_1=N_2=N_3=0\) and \(N_4=1\).