On the smallest maximal partial ovoids and spreads of the generalized quadrangles \(W(q)\) and \(Q(4,q)\) (Q2643842)

The authors study the sizes \(r\) of smallest maximal partial ovoids and spreads of the symplectic generalized quadrangle \(W(q)\) (a set of non-collinear points is a partial ovoid, and called maximal if not contained in a strictly larger set of non-collinear points; dually for partial spread). One of the main observations is that the trivial bound \(r\geq q+1\) can be obtained if and only if the maximal partial ovoid is a hyperbolic line, hence a trace (but what the authors fail to see is that this result is true for any generalized quadrangle of order \(q\) and that there is hence no need to use blocking sets in projective spaces to prove this). For the second smallest partial ovoid, several bounds are presented, all for restricted values of \(q\), such as primes, or squares, etc. It is also shown that a maximal partial spread of \(W(q)\), with \(q\) odd, contains at least \(1.419q\) elements. Finally, the authors present some values of sizes of maximal partial spreads and ovoids found by computer for small values of \(q\) (up to \(q=27\)).