This is a self-contained introduction to algebraic curves over finite fields and geometric Goppa codes. There are four main divisions in the book. The first is a brief exposition of basic concepts and facts of the theory of error-correcting codes (Part I). The second is a complete presentation of the theory of algebraic curves, especially the curves defined over finite fields (Part II). The third is a detailed description of the theory of classical modular curves and their reduction modulo a prime number (Part III). The fourth (and basic) is the construction of geometric Goppa codes and the production of asymptotically good linear codes coming from algebraic curves over finite fields (Part IV). The theory of geometric Goppa codes is a fascinating topic where two extremes meet: the highly abstract and deep theory of algebraic (specifically modular) curves over finite fields and the very concrete problems in the engineering of information transmission. At the present time there are two essentially different ways to produce asymptotically good codes coming from algebraic curves over a finite field with an extremely large number of rational points. The first way, developed by M. A. Tsfasman, S. G. Vladut and Th. Zink [210], is rather difficult and assumes a serious acquaintance with the theory of modular curves and their reduction modulo a prime number. The second way, proposed recently by A.

Algebraic geometry is introduced, with particular attention given to projective curves, rational functions and divisors. The construction of algebraic geometric codes is given, and the Tsfasman-Vladut-Zink result mentioned above it discussed."--BOOK JACKET.

The geometry of curves has fascinated mathematicians for 2500 years, and the theory has become highly abstract. Recently links have been made with the subject of error correction, leading to the creation of geometric Goppa codes, a new and important area of coding theory. This book is an updated and extended version of the last part of the successful book Error-Correcting Codes and Finite Fields. It provides an elementary introduction to Goppa codes, and includes many examples, calculations, and applications. The book is in two parts with an emphasis on motivation, and applications of the theory take precedence over proofs of theorems. The formal theory is, however, provided in the second part of the book, and several of the concepts and proofs have been simplified without sacrificing rigour.

The reach of algebraic curves in cryptography goes far beyond elliptic curve or public key cryptography yet these other application areas have not been systematically covered in the literature. Addressing this gap, Algebraic Curves in Cryptography explores the rich uses of algebraic curves in a range of cryptographic applications, such as secret sh

Advances in Algebraic Geometry Codes presents the most successful applications of algebraic geometry to the field of error-correcting codes, which are used in the industry when one sends information through a noisy channel. The noise in a channel is the corruption of a part of the information due to either interferences in the telecommunications or degradation of the information-storing support (for instance, compact disc). An error-correcting code thus adds extra information to the message to be transmitted with the aim of recovering the sent information. With contributions from renowned researchers, this pioneering book will be of value to mathematicians, computer scientists, and engineers in information theory.

This book provides an accessible and self-contained introduction to the theory of algebraic curves over a finite field, a subject that has been of fundamental importance to mathematics for many years and that has essential applications in areas such as finite geometry, number theory, error-correcting codes, and cryptology. Unlike other books, this one emphasizes the algebraic geometry rather than the function field approach to algebraic curves. The authors begin by developing the general theory of curves over any field, highlighting peculiarities occurring for positive characteristic and requiring of the reader only basic knowledge of algebra and geometry. The special properties that a curve over a finite field can have are then discussed. The geometrical theory of linear series is used to find estimates for the number of rational points on a curve, following the theory of Stöhr and Voloch. The approach of Hasse and Weil via zeta functions is explained, and then attention turns to more advanced results: a state-of-the-art introduction to maximal curves over finite fields is provided; a comprehensive account is given of the automorphism group of a curve; and some applications to coding theory and finite geometry are described. The book includes many examples and exercises. It is an indispensable resource for researchers and the ideal textbook for graduate students.

Develops the theory of algebraic curves over finite fields, their zeta and L-functions and the theory of algebraic geometric Goppa codes.