Rex W. Matthews’s research while affiliated with The University of Queensland and other places

The definition of bent is redefined for any finite field. Our main result is a complete description of the relationship between bent polynomials and perfect non-linear functions over finite fields: we show they are equivalent. This result shows that bent polynomials can also be viewed as the generalisation to several variables of the class of polynomials known as planar polynomials. An explicit method for obtaining large sets of not necessarily distinct maximal orthogonal systems using bent polynomials is given and we end with a short discussion on the existence of bent polynomials over finite fields.

Planar functions were introduced by Dembowski and Ostrom [4] to describe projective planes possessing a collineation group with particular properties. Several classes of planar functions over a finite field are described, including a class whose associated affine planes are not translation planes or dual translation planes. This resolves in the negative a question posed in [4]. These planar functions define at least one such affine plane of order 3e for every e = 4 and their projective closures are of Lenz-Barlotti type II. All previously known planes of type II are obtained by derivation or lifting. At least when e is odd, the planes described here cannot be obtained in this manner.