On the Rank of $p$-Schemes

Abstract

Let $n>1$ be an integer and $p$ be a prime number. Denote by $\mathfrak{C}_{p^n}$ the class of non-thin association $p$-schemes of degree $p^n$. A sharp upper and lower bounds on the rank of schemes in $\mathfrak{C}_{p^n}$ with a certain order of thin radical are obtained. Moreover, all schemes in this class whose rank are equal to the lower bound are characterized and some schemes in this class whose rank are equal to the upper bound are constructed. Finally, it is shown that the scheme with minimum rank in $\mathfrak{C}_{p^n}$ is unique up to isomorphism, and it is a fusion of any association $p$-schemes with degree $p^n$.