Maximal partial spreads and flocks (Q676711)

A flock on a cone \({\mathcal C}\) in \(PG(3,q)\) is a partition of the points (other than the vertex) into disjoint conics. Numerous papers have been published on the relations between flocks, partial flocks, spreads and translations planes, partial spreads and generalized triangles. Many of these papers are due to one of the authors (Johnson) or have Johnson as co-author. A spread is a set of mutually disjoint lines which cover \(PG(3,q)\). The authors determine the embeddable (in a spread) partial spreads of degree \(q^2- q+2\) which are obtainable from a Kantor-Knuth flock. From this they get a determination of the number of maximal partial spreads constructible from a flock which is neither linear nor Kantor-Knuth.