Generalized partially bent functions, generalized perfect arrays and cocyclic Butson matrices

Abstract

In a recent survey, Schmidt compiled equivalences between generalized bent functions, group invariant Butson Hadamard matrices, and abelian splitting relative difference sets. We establish a broader network of equivalences by considering Butson matrices that are cocyclic rather than strictly group invariant. This result has several applications; for example, to the construction of Boolean functions whose expansions are generalized partially bent functions, including cases where no bent function can exist.