Desarguesian finite generalized quadrangles are classical or dual classical

Abstract

Let S = (P, B, I) be a finite generalized quadrangle of order (s, t), s > 1, t > 1. Given a flag (p, L) of S, a (p, L)-collineation is a collineation θ of S which fixes each point on L and each line through p. For any line N incident with p, N ≠ L, and any point u incident with L, u ≠ p, the group G(p, L) of all (p, L)-collineations acts semiregularly on the lines M concurrent with N, p not incident with M, and on the points w collinear with u, w not incident with L. If the group G(p, L) is transitive on the lines M, or equivalently, on the points w, then we say that S is (p, L)-transitive. We prove that the finite generalized quadrangle S is (p, L)-transitive for all flags (p, L) if and only if S is classical or dual classical. Further, for any flag (p, L), we introduce the notion of (p, L)-desarguesian generalized quadrangle, a purely geometrical concept, and we prove that the finite generalized quadrangle S is (p, L)-desarguesian if and only if it is (p, L)-transitive.