On the c-differential uniformity of certain maps over finite fields

Abstract

We give some classes of power maps with low $c$-differential uniformity over finite fields of odd characteristic, {for $c=-1$}. Moreover, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for a linearized polynomial to be a perfect $c$-nonlinear function and investigate conditions when perturbations of perfect $c$-nonlinear (or not) function via an arbitrary Boolean or $p$-ary function is perfect $c$-nonlinear. In the process, we obtain a class of polynomials that are perfect $c$-nonlinear for all $c\ne 1$, in every characteristic. The affine, extended affine and CCZ-equivalence is also looked at, as it relates to $c$-differential uniformity.

Revised version; 22 pages; to appear in Des. Codes Cryptogr