Factoring polynomials of the form $f(x^n)\in \mathbb{F}_q[x]$

Abstract

Let $f(x)\in \mathbb{F}_q[x]$ be an irreducible polynomial of degree $m$ and exponent $e$, and $n$ be a positive integer such that $\nu_p(q-1)\ge \nu_{p}(e)+\nu_p(n)$ for all $p$ prime divisor of $n$. We show a fast algorithm to determine the irreducible factors of $f(x^n)$. We also show the irreducible factors in the case when ${\rm rad}(n)$ divides $q-1$ and ${\rm gcd}(m, n)=1$. Finally, using this algorithm we split $x^n-1$ into irreducible factors, in the case when $n=2^mp^t$ and $q$ is a generator of the group $\mathbb{Z}_{p^2}^*$.