From Endomorphisms to Automorphisms and Back: Dilations and Full Corners

When S is a discrete subsemigroup of a discrete group G suchthat G = S^–1S, it is possible to extend circle-valuedmultipliers from S to G, to dilate (projective) isometric representationsof S to (projective) unitary representations of G, and to dilate/extendactions of S by injective endomorphisms of a C*-algebra to actionsof G by automorphisms of a larger C*-algebra. These dilationsare unique provided they satisfy a minimality condition. The(twisted) semigroup crossed product corresponding to an actionof S is isomorphic to a full corner in the (twisted) crossedproduct by the dilated action of G. This shows that crossedproducts by semigroup actions are Morita equivalent to crossedproducts by group actions, making powerful tools available tostudy their ideal structure and representation theory. The dilationof the system giving the Bost–Connes Hecke C*-algebrafrom number theory is constructed explicitly as an application:it is the crossed product C₀(A_f)Q*₊, corresponding to the multiplicativeaction of the positive rationals on the additive group A_f offinite adeles.     

Invariants of Finite Reflection Groups and the Mean Value Problem for Polytopes

Let P be an n-dimensional polytope admitting a finite reflectiongroup G as its symmetry group. Consider the set H_P(k) of allcontinuous functions on Rⁿ satisfying the mean value propertywith respect to the k-skeleton P(k) of P, as well as the setH_G of all G-harmonic functions. Then a necessary and sufficientcondition for the equality H_P(k) = H_G is given in terms of adistinguished invariant basis, called the canonical invariantbasis, of G. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 20F55,52B15.     

The density of prime divisors in the arithmetic dynamics of quadratic polynomials

Let f [x], and consider the recurrence given by a_n = f(a_{n –1}), with a₀ . Denote by P(f, a₀) the set of prime divisorsof this recurrence, that is, the set of primes dividing at leastone non-zero term, and denote the natural density of this setby D(P(f, a₀)). The problem of determining D(P(f, a₀)) whenf is linear has attracted significant study, although it remainsunresolved in full generality. In this paper, we consider thecase of f quadratic, where previously D(P(f, a₀)) was knownonly in a few cases. We show that D(P(f, a₀)) = 0 regardlessof a₀ for four infinite families of f, including f = x² + k,k \{–1}. The proof relies on tools from group theoryand probability theory to formulate a sufficient condition forD(P(f, a₀)) = 0 in terms of arithmetic properties of the forwardorbit of the critical point of f. This provides an analogy toresults in real and complex dynamics, where analytic propertiesof the forward orbit of the critical point have been shown todetermine many global dynamical properties of a quadratic polynomial.The article also includes apparently new work on the irreducibilityof iterates of quadratic polynomials.     

A Bound on the Presentation Rank of a Finite Group

Let G be a finite group, and let I_G be the augmentation idealof ZG. We denote by d(G) the minimum number of generators forthe group G, and by d(I_G) the minimum number of elements ofI_G needed to generate I_G as a G-module. The connection betweend(G) and d(I_G) is given by the following result due to Roggenkamp]14]: where pr(G) is a non-negative integer, called the presentationrank of G, whose definition comes from the study of relationmodules (see [4] for more details). 1991 Mathematics SubjectClassification 20D20.     

Recognizing Soluble Groups from their Probabilistic Zeta Functions

It is proved that if P_G(s) has an Euler product expansion withall factors of the form where each q_i is a prime power, then G is soluble. 2000 MathematicsSubject Classification 20P05, 20F05, 11M41.     

The finite images of finitely generated groups

Given any sequence of non-abelian finite simple primitive permutationgroups S_n, we construct a finitely generated group G whose profinitecompletion is the infinite permutational wreath product ...S_n S_n–1 ... S₀. It follows that the upper compositionfactors of G are exactly the groups S_n. By suitably choosingthe sequence S_n we can arrange that G has any one of a continuousrange of slow, non-polynomial subgroup growth types. We alsoconstruct a 61-generator perfect group that has every non-abelianfinite simple group as a quotient. 2000 Mathematics SubjectClassification: 20E07, 20E08, 20E18, 20E32.     

A Characterization of Finite Soluble Groups by Laws in Two Variables

Define a sequence (s_n) of two-variable words in variables x,y as follows: s₀(x, y) = x, s_n+1(x,y)=[s_n(x, y]^–y, s_n(x,y)for n 0. It is shown that a finite group G is soluble if andonly if s_n is a law of G for all but finitely many values ofn. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 20D10, 20D06.     

On Groups Associated with Transformation Semigroups

For a semigroup S of transformations (total or partial) of a finite n-element set X_n, denote by G_S the group of all the permutations h of X_n that preserve S under conjugation. It is shown that, unless S contains certain nilpotents and has a very restricted form, the alternating group Alt_n may not serve as G_S, so that Alt_n ⊆ G_S implies that G_S=S_n, and S is an S_n-normal semigroup.     

Enumerating Transitive Finite Permutation Groups

Denote by f(n) the number of subgroups of the symmetric groupSym(n) of degree n, and by f_trans(n) the number of its transitivesubgroups. It was conjectured by Pyber [9] that almost all subgroupsof Sym(n) are not transitive, that is, f_trans(n)/f(n) tendsto 0 when n tends to infinity. It is still an open questionwhether or not this conjecture is true. The difficulty comesfrom the fact that, from many points of view, transitivity isnot a really strong restriction on permutation groups, and thereare too many transitive groups [9, Sections 3 and 4]. In thispaper we solve the problem in the particular case of permutationgroups of prime power degree, proving the following result.1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 20B05, 20D60.     

Interpolating Blaschke Products and Factorization Theorems

Let M(H) be the maximal ideal space of H the Banach algebraof bounded analytic functions on the open unit disk. Let G bethe set of nontrivial points in M(H). By Hoffman's work, G hasdeep connections with the zero sets of interpolating Blaschkeproducts. It is proved that for a closed -separated subset Eof M(H) with E G, there exists an interpolating Blaschke productwhose zero set contains E. This is a generalization of Lingenberg'stheorem. Let f be a continuous function on M(H). Suppose thatf is analytic on a nontrivial Gleason part P(x), f(x) = 0, andf 0 on P(x). It is proved that there is an interpolating Blaschkeproduct b with zeros {z_n}_n such that b(x) = 0 and f(z_n) = 0for every n. This fact can be used for factorization theoremsin Douglas algebras and in algebras of functions analytic onGleason parts.     

Hypersurface Singularities with 2-Dimensional Critical Locus

Consider an analytic germ f:(C^m, 0)(C, 0) (m3) whose criticallocus is a 2-dimensional complete intersection with an isolatedsingularity (icis). We prove that the homotopy type of the Milnorfiber of f is a bouquet of spheres, provided that the extendedcodimension of the germ f is finite. This result generalizesthe cases when the dimension of the critical locus is zero [8],respectively one [12]. Notice that if the critical locus isnot an icis, then the Milnor fiber, in general, is not homotopicallyequivalent to a wedge of spheres. For example, the Milnor fiberof the germ f:(C⁴, 0)(C, 0), defined by f(x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄) =x₁x₂x₃x₄ has the homotopy type of S¹xS¹xS¹. On the other hand,the finiteness of the extended codimension seems to be the rightgeneralization of the isolated singularity condition; see forexample [9–12, 17, 18]. In the last few years different types of ‘bouquet theorems’have appeared. Some of them deal with germs f:(X, x)(C, 0) wheref defines an isolated singularity. In some cases, similarlyto the Milnor case [8], F has the homotopy type of a bouquetof (dim X–1)-spheres, for example when X is an icis [2],or X is a complete intersection [5]. Moreover, in [13] Siersmaproved that F has a bouquet decomposition FF₀Sⁿ...Sⁿ (whereF₀ is the complex link of (X, x)), provided that both (X, x)and f have an isolated singularity. Actually, Siersma conjecturedand Tibr proved [16] a more general bouquet theorem for thecase when (X, x) is a stratified space and f defines an isolatedsingularity (in the sense of the stratified spaces). In thiscase F_iF_i, where the F_i are repeated suspensions of complexlinks of strata of X. (If (X, x) has the ‘Milnor property’,then the result has been proved by Lê; for details see[6].) In our situation, the space-germ (X, x) is smooth, but f hasbig singular locus. Surprisingly, for dim Sing f^–1(0)2,the Milnor fiber is again a bouquet (actually, a bouquet ofspheres, maybe of different dimensions). This result is in thespirit of Siersma's paper [12], where dim Sing f^–1(0)= 1. In that case, there is only a rather small topologicalobstruction for the Milnor fiber to be homotopically equivalentto a bouquet of spheres (as explained in Corollary 2.4). Inthe present paper, we attack the dim Sing f^–1(0) = 2 case.In our investigation some results of Zaharia are crucial [17,18].     

Canonical curves in P3

Let Hilb^6t–3(P³) be the Hilbert scheme of closed 1-dimensionalsubschemes of degree 6 and arithmetic genus 4 in P³. Let H bethe component of Hilb^6t–3(P³) whose generic point correspondsto a canonical curve, that is, a complete intersection of aquadric and a cubic surface in P³. Let F be the vector spaceof linear forms in the variables z₁, z₂, z₃, z₄. Denote by F_dthe vector space of homogeneous forms of degree d. Set X = (f₂,f₃)where f₂ P(F₂) is a quadric surface, and f₃ P(F₃/f₂ ·F) is a cubic modulo f₂. Wehave a rational map, : X ... Hdefined by (f₂,f₃) f₂ f₃. It fails to be regular along thelocus where f₂ and f₃ acquire a common linear component. Ourmain result gives an explicit resolution of the indeterminaciesof as well as of the singularities of H. 2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 14C05, 14N05, 14N10,14N15.     

Toward a Characterization of Conway's Group Co3

In this paper, Conway's group, Co₃, is characterized among simplegroups of even type with e(G) = 3, by a restriction on the p-localstructure for some odd prime p for which m_2,p(G) = 3. 2000 MathematicsSubject Classification 20D05.     

The Natural Morphisms between Toeplitz Algebras on Discrete Groups

Let G be a discrete group and (G, G₊) be a quasi-ordered group.Set G₊(G₊)^–1 and G₁= (G₊\){e}. Let F^G₁(G) andF^G₊(G) be the corresponding Toeplitz algebras. In the paper,a necessary and sufficient condition for a representation ofF^G₊(G) to be faithful is given. It is proved that when G isabelian, there exists a natural C*-algebra morphism from F^G₁(G)to F^G₊(G). As an application, it is shown that when G = Z² andG₊ = Z₊ x Z, the K-groups K₀(F^G₁(G)) Z², K₁(F^G₁(G)) Z andall Fredholm operators in F^G₁(G) are of index zero.     

The Complete Reducibility of Locally Completely Reducible Finitary Linear Groups

Let V be a vector space over some division ring D, and G a finitarysubgroup of GL(V). If G is locally completely reducible, thenthe D-G modules V, [V, G] and V/C_V(G) need not be completelyreducible, even if dim_DV is finite. Moreover, if F is a field,then V and V/C_V(G) need not be completely reducible. We provehere that if D is a finite-dimensional division algebra andG is locally completely reducible, then [V, G] is always a completelyreducible D-G module. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification20H25.     

Finite CI-Groups are Soluble

For a finite group G and a subset S of G with 1 S and S = S^–1,the Cayley graph Cay(G, S) is the graph with vertex set G suchthat {x, y} is an edge if and only if yx^–1 S. The groupG is called a CI-group if, for all subsets S and T of G\{1},Cay(G, S) Cay(G, T) if and only if S = T for some Aut(G).In this paper, for each prime p 1 (mod 4), a symmetric graph(p) is constructed from PSL(2, p) such that Aut (p) = Z₂ x PSL(2,p); it is then shown that A₅ is not a CI-group, and that allfinite CI-groups are soluble. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification05C25.     

The Isolated Points of G{rho} and the w*-Strongly Exposed Points of P{rho}(G)0

Let G be a separable locally compact group and let be its dualspace with Fell's topology. It is well known that the set P(G)of continuous positive-definite functions on G can be identifiedwith the set of positive linear functionals on the group C^*-algebraC^*(G). We show that if is discrete in , then there exists anonzero positive-definite function associated with such that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, where P(G)₀={f P(G):f(e)1. Conversely, if some nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, then is isolatedin . Consequently, G is compact if and only if, for every ,there exists a nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀. If, in addition,G is unimodular and , then is isolated in if and only if somenonzero positive-definite function associated with is a w^*-stronglyexposed point of P(G)₀, where is the left regular representationof G and is the reduced dual space of G. We prove that if B(G)has the Radon–Nikodym property, then the set of isolatedpoints of (so square-integrable if G is unimodular) is densein . It is also proved that if G is a separable SIN-group, thenG is amenable if and only if there exists a closed point in. In particular, for a countable discrete non-amenable groupG (for example the free group F₂ on two generators), there isno closed point in its reduced dual space .     

A Hilbert Basis Theorem for Quantum Groups

A noncommutative version of the Hilbert basis theorem is usedto show that certain R-symmetric algebras S_R(V) are Noetherian.This result applies in particular to the coordinate ring ofquantum matrices A_R(V) associated with an R-matrix R operatingon the tensor square of a vector space V, to show that, undera natural set of hypotheses on R, the algebra A_R(V) is Noetherianand its augmentation ideal has a polynormal set of generators.As a corollary we deduce that these properties hold for thegeneric quantized function algebras R_q[G] over any field ofcharacteristic zero, for G an arbitrary connected, simply connected,semisimple group over C. That R_q[G] is Noetherian recovers aresult due to Joseph [10], with a different proof.1991 MathematicsSubject Classification 17B37, 16P40.     

On the Poles of Igusa's Local Zeta Function for Algebraic Sets

Let K be a p-adic field, let Z (s, f), sC, with Re(s) > 0,be the Igusa local zeta function associated to f(x) = (f₁(x),..., f_l(x)) [K (x₁, ..., x_n)]^l, and let be a Schwartz–Bruhatfunction. The aim of this paper is to describe explicitly thepoles of the meromorphic continuation of Z (s, f). Using resolutionof singularities it is possible to express Z (s, f) as a finitesum of p-adic monomial integrals. These monomial integrals arecomputed explicitly by using techniques of toroidal geometry.In this way, an explicit list of the candidates for poles ofZ (s, f) is obtained. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification11S40, 14M25, 11D79.     

The Glauberman Correspondence and Subgroups of Operator Groups: a Counterexample

Let G and A be finite groups with coprime orders, and supposethat A acts on G by automorphisms. Let (G, A):Irr_A(G)Irr(C_G(A))be the Glauberman–Isaacs correspondence. Let B A andIrr_A(G). We exhibit a counterexample to the conjecture that(G, A) is an irreducible constituent of the restriction of (G,B) to C_G(A). 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 20C15.