On the Polya permanent problem over finite fields

Abstract

Let $\FF$ be a finite field of characteristics different from two. We show that no bijective map transforms permanent into determinant when the cardinality of $\FF$ is sufficiently large. We also give an example of non-bijective map when $\FF$ is arbitrary and an example of a bijective map when $\FF$ is infinite which do transform permanent into determinant. The developed technique allows us to estimate the probability of the permanent and the determinant of matrices over finite fields to have a given value. Our results are also true over finite rings without zero divisors.