Non-orientable regular maps with negative prime-power Euler characteristic

Abstract

In this paper we provide a classification of all regular maps on surfaces of Euler characteristic $-r^d$ for some odd prime $r$ and integer $d\ge 1$. Such maps are necessarily non-orientable, and the cases where $d = 1$ or $2$ have been dealt with previously. This classification splits naturally into three parts, based on the nature of the automorphism group $G$ of the map, and particularly the structure of its quotient $G/O(G)$ where $O(G)$ is the largest normal subgroup of $G$ of odd order. In fact $G/O(G)$ is isomorphic to either a $2$-group (in which case $G$ is soluble), or $\textrm{PSL}(2,q)$ or $\textrm{PGL}(2,q)$ where $q$ is an odd prime power. The result is a collection of $18$ non-empty families of regular maps, with conditions on the associated parameters.