A second infinite family of Steiner triple systems without almost parallel classes

For each positive integer n, we construct a Steiner triple system of order v=2(3n)+1 with no almost parallel class; that is, with no set of v-13 disjoint triples. In fact, we construct families of (v,k,λ)-designs with an analogous property. The only previously known examples of Steiner triple systems of order congruent to 1 (mod 6) without almost parallel classes were the projective triple systems of order 2n - 1 with n odd, and 2 of the 11,084,874,829 Steiner triple systems of order 19

Sets of three pairwise orthogonal Steiner triple systems

AbstractTwo Steiner triple systems (STS) are orthogonal if their sets of triples are disjoint, and two disjoint pairs of points defining intersecting triples in one system fail to do so in the other. In 1994, it was shown (Canad. J. Math. 46(2) (1994) 239–252) that there exist a pair of orthogonal Steiner triple systems of order v for all v≡1,3 (mod6), with v⩾7, v≠9. In this paper we show that there exist three pairwise orthogonal Steiner triple systems of order v for all v≡1(mod6), with v⩾19 and for all v≡3(mod6), with v⩾27 with only 24 possible exceptions

Configurations and colouring problems in block designs

A Steiner triple system of order v (STS(v)) is called x-chromatic if x is the smallest number of colours needed to avoid monochromatic blocks. Amongst our results on colour class structures we show that every STS (19) is 3- or 4-chromatic, that every 3-chromatic STS(19) has an equitable 3-colouring (meaning that the colours are as uniformly distributed as possible), and that for all admissible v > 25 there exists a 3-chromatic STS(v) which does not admit an equitable 3-colouring. We obtain a formula for the number of independent sets in an STS(v) and use it to show that an STS(21) must contain eight independent points. This leads to a simple proof that every STS(21) is 3- or 4-chromatic. Substantially extending existing tabulations, we provide an enumeration of STS trades of up to 12 blocks, and as an application we show that any pair of STS(15)s must be 3-1-isomorphic. We prove a general theorem that enables us to obtain formulae for the frequencies of occurrence of configurations in triple systems. Some of these are used in our proof that for v > 25 no STS(u) has a 3-existentially closed block intersection graph. Of specific interest in connection with a conjecture of Erdos are 6-sparse and perfect Steiner triple systems, characterized by the avoidance of specific configurations. We describe two direct constructions that produce 6-sparse STS(v)s and we give a recursive construction that preserves 6-sparseness. Also we settle an old question concerning the occurrence of perfect block transitive Steiner triple systems. Finally, we consider Steiner 5(2,4, v) designs that are built from collections of Steiner triple systems. We solve a longstanding problem by constructing such systems with v = 61 (Zoe’s design) and v = 100 (the design of the century)

Self-embeddings of Hamming Steiner triple systems of small order and APN permutations

The classification, up to isomorphism, of all self-embedding monomial power permutations of Hamming Steiner triple systems of order n = 2 m − 1 for small m (m ≤ 22), is given. As far as we know, for m ∈ {5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19}, all given self-embeddings in closed surfaces are new. Moreover, they are cyclic for all m and nonorientable at least for all m ≤ 19. For any non prime m, the nonexistence of such self-embeddings in a closed surface is proven. The rotation line spectrum for self-embeddings of Hamming Steiner triple systems in pseudosurfaces with pinch points as an invariant to distinguish APN permutations or, in general, to classify permutations, is also proposed. This invariant applied to APN monomial power permutations gives a classification which coincides with the classification of such permutations via CCZ-equivalence, at least up to m ≤ 17

On the seven non-isomorphic solutions of the fifteen schoolgirl problem

In this paper we give a simple and effective tool to analyze a given Kirkman triple system of order 15 and determine which of the seven well-known non-isomorphic KTS(15)s it is isomorphic to. Our technique refines and improves the lacing of distinct parallel classes introduced by F. N. Cole, by means of the notion of residual triple defined by G. Falcone and the present author in a previous paper. Unlike Cole's original lacing scheme, our algorithm allows one to distinguish two KTS(15)s also in the harder case where the two systems have the same underlying Steiner triple system. In the special case where the common STS is #19, an alternative method is given by means of the 1-factorizations of the complete graph K_8 associated to the two KTSs. Moreover, we present three new visual solutions to the schoolgirl problem, and we catalogue most of the classical (or interesting) solutions in the literature in terms of what KTS(15)s they are isomorphic to. This paper provides background on a classical topic, while shedding new light on the problem as well