A classification of line-transitive maximal (v,k)-arcs in finite projective planes

In a finite projective plane P of order n, a maximal (v,k)-arc is a non- empty set S of v points meeting every line of P in 0 or k points (2\(\leq k\leq n)\). For example, any affine plane A of order n is a maximal \((n^ 2,n)\)-arc in the projective plane P obtained by adjoining to A its points at infinity. Another family of examples can be described as follows: in any Desarguesian projective plane \(PG(2,2^ e)\) with \(e\geq 3\), if C is the union of an irreducible conic and its nucleus, the set of all lines disjoint from C is a maximal \((2^{e-1}(2^ e-1),2^{e-1})-arc\) S in the dual projective plane (such a maximal arc will be denoted by \(W(2^ e)).\) In what follows, p always denotes a prime number. Theorem. Let P be a finite projective plane of order n. If \(G\leq Aut P\) stabilizes a maximal (v,k)-arc S of P and acts transitively on the lines of S, then one of the following holds: (i) \(n=p^ e\) (e\(\geq 1)\), \(k=n\), S is a line-transitive translation affine plane A and G contains the translation group of A, (ii) \(n=2^ e\) (e\(\geq 3)\), \(k=n/2\), \(S=W(2^ e)\) in \(PG(2,2^ e)\) and \(PSL(2,2^ e)\trianglelefteq G\leq P\Gamma L(2,2^ e),\) (iii) \(n=4\), \(k=2\), S is a hyperoval in PG(2,4) and \(G=Sym(6)\), Alt(6), PGL(2,5) or PSL(2,5). The proof relies on a recent result of Buekenhout, the authors, Kleidman, Liebeck and Saxl (to appear in Geom. Dedicata), using the classification of finite simple groups to classify the flag-transitive \(2-(v,k,1)\) designs.

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