On the existence of non-special divisors of degree \(g\) and \(g-1\) in algebraic function fields over \(\mathbb{F}_2\) (Q818058)

Let \(F\) be an algebraic function field of one variable of genus \(g\). Recall that a divisor \(D\) of \(F\) is called non-special if the dimension of its Riemann-Roch space equals \(\deg(D)+1-g\). Hence \(g-1\) is the smallest possible degree of a non-special divisor; and \(g\) is the smallest possible degree of an effective non-special divisor. For function fields over a finite constant field \({\mathbb F}_q\), the authors exhibit sufficient (and necessary) conditions for the existence of such divisors. The conditions involve the class number of \(F\) and the number of effective divisors of a certain degree. We only cite part of the main result: If \(g\geq 2\) and \(q\geq 3\) there always exists an effective non-special divisor of degree \(g\). If \(g\geq 2\) and \(q\geq 4\) there always exists a non-special divisor of degree \(g-1\). The last section discusses applications in the theory of codes and in improving an upper bound for the bilinear complexity of multiplication in \({\mathbb F}_{q^n}\) over \({\mathbb F}_q\).