On subfields of the second generalization of the GK maximal function field.

The second generalized GK function fields K n are a recently found family of maximal function fields over the finite field with q 2 n elements, where q is a prime power and n ≥ 1 an odd integer. In this paper we construct many new maximal function fields by determining various Galois subfields of K n. In case gcd ⁡ (q + 1 , n) = 1 and either q is even or q ≡ 1 (mod 4) , we find a complete list of Galois subfields of K n. Our construction adds several previously unknown genera to the genus spectrum of maximal curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]