A transform property of Kloosterman sums (Q708340)

Kloosterman sums \(K_k(a,b)\) are of interest in many parts of mathematics. They are defined as \(K_k(a,b)=\sum_{\gamma \in {\mathbb{F}_{q^k}^\ast}}\chi(\text{trace}(a\gamma+b\gamma^{-1})\), where \(\chi\) in an additive character of the finite field \({\mathbb F}_{q}\). Here \(q\) is a prime power and the trace is relative to \({\mathbb F}_q\). These numbers are related to the number \(n_k(\beta, a, b)\) of solutions \(\gamma\) such that \(\text{trace}(a\gamma+b\gamma^{-1})=\beta\). Some interesting recursion formulae for the \(n_k\) are observed, and these are used to count the number of certain irreducible polynomials as well as simplifying proof of a result on the dual weight distribution of a Melas code by \textit{J. C. C. M. Remin} and \textit{H. J. Tiersma} [IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 34, No. 5, Part II, 1348--1351 (1989; Zbl 0666.94013)].