Generators of the cubic extension of a finite field (Q2880115)

\(\mathbb{F}_q\) denotes the finite field of prime power order \(q\). The author established two results: (1) Suppose \(\theta\in\mathbb{F}_{q^3}\setminus\mathbb{F}_q\). Then there exists \(a\in\mathbb{F}_q\) with \(\theta+a\) primitive, with the genuine exceptions of \(q=3,7,9,13,37\). (2) Let \(\theta_1, \theta_2\) be independent in \(\mathbb{F}_{q^3}\). Then there exists \(a\in \mathbb{F}_q\) with \(\theta_1+a\theta_2\) primitive, with the genuine exceptions of \(q=3,4,5,7,9,11,13,31,37\) and a set \(S\) of possible exceptions. Here \(S\) has order 175 and largest member 9811.NEWLINENEWLINEThe analog of (2) for quadratic extensions (and no exceptions) was previously proven by the author [J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 27, 221--228 (1983; Zbl 0514.12018)]. A weaker version of (1), involving \(b\theta +a\), was shown by \textit{D. Mills} and \textit{G. McNay} [Finite fields with applications to coding theory, cryptography and related areas. Proceedings of the 6th international conference on finite fields and applications, Oaxaca, Mexico, May 21--25, 2001. Berlin: Springer, 239--250 (2002; Zbl 1034.11067)]. The results here follow from an improved sieving technique. (1) also requires a computer verification for \(q\)'s in \(S\cup \{ 4,5,11,31\}\).