Structure of a finite non-commutative algebra set by a sparse multiplication table

Abstract

Four-dimensional finite non-commutative associative algebras represent practical interest as algebraic support of post-quantum digital signature algorithms, especially algebras with two sided global unit, set by sparse basis vectors multiplication tables. A new algebra of the latter type, set over the field GF(p), is proposed and its structure is investigated. The studied algebra is described as a set of p2 + p + 1 commutative subalgebras of three different types. All subalgebras intersect strictly in the subset of scalar vectors. Formulas are derived for the number of subalgebras of each type.