A power sum formula by Carlitz and its applications to permutation rational functions of finite fields

Abstract

A formula discovered by L. Carlitz in 1935 finds an interesting application in permutation rational functions of finite fields. It allows us to determine all rational functions of degree three that permute the projective line $\Bbb P^1(\Bbb F_q)$ over $\Bbb F_q$, a result previously obtained by Ferraguti and Micheli through a different method. It also allows us to determine all rational functions of degree four that permute $\Bbb P^1(\Bbb F_q)$ under a certain condition. (A complete determination of all rational functions of degree four that permute $\Bbb P^1(\Bbb F_q)$ without any condition will appear in a separate forthcoming paper.)