No label defined (Q4358768)

Let \(\pi\) be a finite projective plane of even order \(n\) with an oval \(\Omega\) for which there is a collineation group \(G\) of \(\pi\) that stabilizes \(\Omega\) and also fixes a line \(l\) external to \(\Omega\). Using a theorem of \textit{C. Hering} [Geom. Dedicata 2, 425-460 (1974; Zbl 0292.20045)] that classifies certain 2-transitive groups, the author is able significantly to restrict the possibilities for \(G\). In particular, by showing that four out of five of the cases allowed by Hering's theorem do not arise, he shows that \(B\) must be a subgroup of the affine semilinear group \(A\Gamma L(1,q)\) in its natural permutation representation, where \(q=n+1\) is an odd prime power. Apparently the only known examples have \(n=2\) or 4. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0869.00028].