A group theoretic characterization of finite derivable nets (Q804946)

A net of degree \(q+1\) and order \(q^ 2\) is called derivable if and only if it contains exactly \(q^ 2(q+1)\) affine subplanes of order q. The author continues his previous work on derivable nets and obtains the following beautiful characterization: A net is derivable if and only if it admits a collineation group isomorphic to \(PSL(4,q)_ N\) (the stabilizer of a line N of PG(3,q) in PSL(4,q). The structure of such nets was already described in a previous paper [the author, Arch. Math. 55, No.1, 94-104 (1990; Zbl 0721.51004)].