Let $m\ge 2$ be an integer and $\mathbb{F}$ be a finite field of order $p^k$. I want to construct as many as possible $m$-dimensional vectors $v_1,v_2,\ldots,v_n$ in field $\mathbb{F}$ such that any $m$ of these vectors are independent. What is the maximal value for $n$. How to construct these vectors.
Denote elements in $F$ by $a_1,\ldots,a_{p^k}$. If we define $v_i=(1,a_i,a_i^2,\ldots,a_i^{m-1})$ for $i$ between 1 and $p^k$, then clearly any $m$ of these vectors are independent. Thus $n\ge p^k$.
On the other hand, since there are exactly $p^{km}-1$ nonzero vectors and each vector can be used at most once in any legal construction, we see that $n\le p^{km}-1$.
Are there any references discussing the problem?