Maximal Cliques in Graphs Associated with Combinatorial Systems

Maximal cliques in various graphs with combinatorial significance are investigated. The Erdös, Ko, Rado theorem, concerning maximal sets of blocks, pairwise intersecting in s points, is extended to arbitrary t-designs, and a new proof of the theorem is given thereby. The simplest case of this phenomenon is dealt with in detail, namely cliques of size r in the block graphs of Steiner systems S(2,k,v). Following this, the possibility of nonunique geometrisation of such block graphs is considered, and a nonexistence proof in one case is given, when the alternative geometrising cliques are normal. A new Association Scheme is introduced for the 1-factors of the complete graph; its eigenvalues are calcu1ated using the Representation Theory of the Symmetric Group, and various applications are found, concerning maximal cliques in the scheme.</p