Linear Codes over Z₄+uZ₄: MacWilliams identities, projections, and formally self-dual codes

Linear codes are considered over the ring Z_4+uZ_4, a non-chain extension of Z_4. Lee weights, Gray maps for these codes are defined and MacWilliams identities for the complete, symmetrized and Lee weight enumerators are proved. Two projections from Z_4+uZ_4 to the rings Z_4 and F_2+uF_2 are considered and self-dual codes over Z_4+uZ_4 are studied in connection with these projections. Finally three constructions are given for formally self-dual codes over Z_4+uZ_4 and their Z_4-images together with some good examples of formally self-dual Z_4-codes obtained through these constructions.