Orthogonal polarity graphs and Sidon sets

Abstract

Determining the maximum number of edges in an $n$-vertex $C_4$-free graph is a well-studied problem that dates back to a paper of Erd\H{o}s from 1938. One of the most important families of $C_4$-free graphs are the Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi orthogonal polarity graphs. We show that the Cayley sum graph constructed using a Bose-Chowla Sidon set is isomorphic to a large induced subgraph of the Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi orthogonal polarity graph. Using this isomorphism we prove that the Petersen graph is a subgraph of every sufficiently large Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi orthogonal polarity graph.