Vandermonde sets, hyperovals and Niho bent functions (Q6163796)

A finite set of \(t\) elements in a finite field is called a \textit{Vandermonde set} if all power sums of degrees up to \(t-2\) of these elements are equal to \(0\). A \textit{hyperoval} of the projective plane \(\mathrm{PG}(2, q)\) is a set of \(q + 2\) points, no three of which are collinear. In the present paper the authors show that a Vandermonde set can be obtained from a hyperoval and investigate necessary and sufficient conditions for a Vandermonde set to be a hyperoval in terms of power sums. Further results concern the coefficients of \(g\)-functions for hyperovals. In particular, necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of hyperovals in terms of \(g\)-functions are given. These conditions are suitable for efficient computer search.