On the intersection problem for linear sets in the projective line

The aim of this paper is to investigate the intersection problem between two linear sets in the projective line over a finite field. In particular, we analyze the intersection between two clubs with possibly different maximum fields of linearity. We also consider the intersection between a certain linear set of maximum rank and any other linear set of the same rank. The strategy relies on the study of certain algebraic curves whose rational points describe the intersection of the two linear sets. Among other geometric and algebraic tools, function field theory and the Hasse–Weil bound play a crucial role. As an application, we give asymptotic results on semifields of BEL-rank two.