Bent Functions From Involutions Over ${\mathbb F}_{2^{n}}$

Abstract

Bent functions are maximally nonlinear Boolean functions. Introduced by Rothaus and first examined by Dillon, these important functions have subsequently been studied by many researchers over the last four decades. Since a complete classification of bent functions appears elusive, many researchers concentrate on methods for constructing bent functions. In this paper, we investigate constructions of bent functions from involutions over finite fields in even characteristic. We present a generic construction technique, study its equivalence issues and show that linear involutions (which are an important class of permutations) over finite fields give rise to bent functions in bivariate representations. In particular, we exhibit new constructions of bent functions involving binomial linear involutions, whose dual functions are directly obtained without computation. The existence of bent functions from involutions relies heavily on solving systems of equations over finite fields.