Systems \(S(2,4,v)\) with exactly one or without any maximal subsystem (Q2563497)

A Steiner system \(S(2,4,v)\) is an ordered pair \((V,{\mathcal B})\) where \(V\) is finite set of \(v\) points and \(\mathcal B\) is a collection of 4-subsets of \(V\), often called lines, such that any 2-subset of \(V\) is contained in exactly one line of \(\mathcal B\). It is well known that a Steiner \(S(2,4,v)\) exists if and only if \(v \geq 4\) is congruent to 1 or \(4 \bmod 12\). A subset \(U\) of \(V\) is called a subsystem of the Steiner system \((V,{\mathcal B})\) as defined above if for any 2-subset \(\{a,b\}\) of \(U\) the unique line of \(\mathcal B\) determined by \(\{a,b\}\) is contained in \(U\). The maximum cardinality of a proper subsystem of an \(S(2,4,v)\) is \(r={1 \over 3}(v-1)\), the replication number of the given Steiner system [see \textit{R. Rees} and \textit{D. R. Stinson}, Util. Math. 35, 119-152 (1989; Zbl 0678.05009)]. Necessary and sufficient conditions are known for the existence of a Steiner system \(S(2,4,v)\) with at least one maximal subsystem \(S(2,4,\frac13(v-1))\). In the paper under review the authors determine necessary and sufficient conditions on the order \(v\) for the existence of a Steiner system \(S(2,4,v)\) with exactly one maximal subsystem as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an \(S(2,4,v)\) without any maximal subsystem. More precisely, in the latter case it is shown that for any admissible order \(v\) other than 13, there exists an \(S(2,4,v)\) without any maximal subsystem \(S(2,4,\frac13(v-1))\). The authors pose the problem of constructing an \(S(2,4,v)\) without any non-trivial subsystem for all admissible orders \(v\) other than 13.