Polynomials with maximal differential uniformity and the exceptional APN conjecture

Abstract: We contribute to the exceptional APN conjecture by showing that no polynomial of degree m = 2 r (2 {\ell} + 1) where gcd(r, {\ell}) 2, r 2, {\ell} 1 with a nonzero second leading coefficient can be APN over infinitely many extensions of the base field. More precisely, we prove that for n sufficiently large, all polynomials of F 2 n [x] of such a degree with a nonzero second leading coefficient have a differential uniformity equal to m -- 2.