Primitives and central detection numbers in group cohomology

Fix a prime p. Given a finite group G, let H^∗(G) denote its mod p cohomology. In the early 1990s, Henn, Lannes, and Schwartz introduced two invariants d₀(G) and d₁(G) of H^∗(G) viewed as a module over the mod p Steenrod algebra. They showed that, in a precise sense, H^∗(G) is respectively detected and determined by Hd(CG(V)) for d?d₀(G) and d?d₁(G), with V running through the elementary abelian p-subgroups of G.The main goal of this paper is to study how to calculate these invariants. We find that a critical role is played by the image of the restriction of H^∗(G) to H^∗(C), where C is the maximal central elementary abelian p-subgroup of G. A measure of this is the top degree e(G) of the finite dimensional Hopf algebra H^∗(C)_⊗H^∗(G)Fp, a number that tends to be quite easy to calculate.Our results are complete when G has a p-Sylow subgroup P in which every element of order p is central. Using the Benson-Carlson duality, we show that in this case, d₀(G)=d₀(P)=e(P), and a similar exact formula holds for d₁. As a bonus, we learn that He(G)(P) contains nontrivial essential cohomology, reproving and sharpening a theorem of Adem and Karagueuzian.In general, we are able to show that d₀(G)?max{e(CG(V))|V<G} if certain cases of Benson's Regularity Conjecture hold. In particular, this inequality holds for all groups such that the difference between the p-rank of G and the depth of H^∗(G) is at most 2. When we look at examples with p=2, we learn that d₀(G)?14 for all groups with 2-Sylow subgroup of order up to 64, with equality realized when G=SU(3,4).En route we study two objects of independent interest. If C is any central elementary abelian p-subgroup of G, then H^∗(G) is an H^∗(C)-comodule, and we prove that the subalgebra of H^∗(C)-primitives is always Noetherian of Krull dimension equal to the p-rank of G minus the p-rank of C. If the depth of H^∗(G) equals the rank of Z(G), we show that the depth essential cohomology of G is nonzero (reproving and extending a theorem of Green), and Cohen-Macauley in a certain sense, and prove related structural results.     

Almost maximally almost-periodic group topologies determined by T-sequences

A sequence {an} in a group G is a T-sequence if there is a Hausdorff group topology τ on G such that . In this paper, we provide several sufficient conditions for a sequence in an abelian group to be a T-sequence, and investigate special sequences in the Prüfer groups Z(p^∞). We show that for p≠2, there is a Hausdorff group topology τ on Z(p^∞) that is determined by a T-sequence, which is close to being maximally almost-periodic—in other words, the von Neumann radical n(Z(p^∞),τ) is a non-trivial finite subgroup. In particular, n(n(Z(p^∞),τ))?n(Z(p^∞),τ). We also prove that the direct sum of any infinite family of finite abelian groups admits a group topology determined by a T-sequence with non-trivial finite von Neumann radical.     

Broué's conjecture for non-principal 3-blocks of finite groups

In representation theory of finite groups, there is a well-known and important conjecture due to M. Broué. He conjectures that, for any prime p, if a p-block A of a finite group G has an abelian defect group D, then A and its Brauer correspondent p-block B of N_G(D) are derived equivalent. We demonstrate in this paper that Broué's conjecture holds for two non-principal 3-blocks A with elementary abelian defect group D of order 9 of the O'Nan simple group and the Higman-Sims simple group. Moreover, we determine these two non-principal block algebras over a splitting field of characteristic 3 up to Morita equivalence.     

On a conjecture of E. Rapaport Strasser about knot-like groups and its pro-p version

A group G is knot-like if it is finitely presented of deficiency 1 and has abelianization G/G^′?Z. We prove the conjecture of E. Rapaport Strasser that if a knot-like group G has a finitely generated commutator subgroup G^′ then G^′ should be free in the special case when the commutator G^′ is residually finite. It is a corollary of a much more general result : if G is a discrete group of geometric dimension n with a finite K(G,1)-complex Y of dimension n, Y has Euler characteristics 0, N is a normal residually finite subgroup of G, N is of homological type FP_n-1 and G/N?Z then N is of homological type FP_n and hence G/N has finite virtual cohomological dimension vcd(G/N)=cd(G)-cd(N). In particular either N has finite index in G or cd(N)?cd(G)-1.Furthermore we show a pro-p version of the above result with the weaker assumption that G/N is a pro-p group of finite rank. Consequently a pro-p version of Rapaport's conjecture holds.     

Embeddings of minimal non-abelian p-groups

By a quasi-permutation matrix we mean a square matrix over the complex field C with non-negative integral trace. For a given finite group G, let p(G) denote the minimal degree of a faithful representation of G by permutation matrices, and let c(G) denote the minimal degree of a faithful representation of G by quasi-permutation matrices. See [4]. It is easy to see that c(G) is a lower bound for p(G). Behravesh [H. Behravesh, The minimal degree of a faithful quasi-permutation representation of an abelian group, Glasg. Math. J. 39 (1) (1997) 51-57] determined c(G) for every finite abelian group G and also [H. Behravesh, Quasi-permutation representations of p-groups of class 2, J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 55 (2) (1997) 251-260] gave the algorithm of c(G) for each finite group G. In this paper, we first improve this algorithm and then determine c(G) and p(G) for an arbitrary minimal non-abelian p-group G.     

Probability that the commutator of two group elements is equal to a given element

In this paper we study the probability that the commutator of two randomly chosen elements in a finite group is equal to a given element of that group. Explicit computations are obtained for groups G which |G^′| is prime and G^′≤Z(G) as well as for groups G which |G^′| is prime and G^′∩Z(G)=1. This paper extends results of Rusin [see D.J. Rusin, What is the probability that two elements of a finite group commute? Pacific J. Math. 82 (1) (1979) 237-247].     

Ghosts in modular representation theory

A ghost over a finite p-group G is a map between modular representations of G which is invisible in Tate cohomology. Motivated by the failure of the generating hypothesis—the statement that ghosts between finite-dimensional G-representations factor through a projective—we define the ghost number of kG to be the smallest integer l such that the composite of any l ghosts between finite-dimensional G-representations factors through a projective. In this paper we study ghosts and the ghost numbers of p-groups. We begin by showing that a weaker version of the generating hypothesis, where the target of the ghost is fixed to be the trivial representation k, holds for all p-groups. We then compute the ghost numbers of all cyclic p-groups and all abelian 2-groups with C₂ as a summand. We obtain bounds on the ghost numbers for abelian p-groups and for all 2-groups which have a cyclic subgroup of index 2. Using these bounds we determine the finite abelian groups which have ghost number at most 2. Our methods involve techniques from group theory, representation theory, triangulated category theory, and constructions motivated from homotopy theory.     

The extent to which subsets are additively closed

Given a finite abelian group G (written additively), and a subset S of G, the size r(S) of the set may range between 0 and ²|S|, with the extremal values of r(S) corresponding to sum-free subsets and subgroups of G. In this paper, we consider the intermediate values which r(S) may take, particularly in the setting where G is Z/pZ under addition (p prime). We obtain various bounds and results. In the Z/pZ setting, this work may be viewed as a subset generalization of the Cauchy-Davenport Theorem.     

Optimally small sumsets in finite abelian groups

Let G be a finite abelian group of order g. We determine, for all 1?r,s?g, the minimal size μ_G(r,s)=min|A+B| of sumsets A+B, where A and B range over all subsets of G of cardinality r and s, respectively. We do so by explicit construction. Our formula for μ_G(r,s) shows that this function only depends on the cardinality of G, not on its specific group structure. Earlier results on μ_G are recalled in the Introduction.     

Groups with the same prime graph as the orthogonal group B n (3)

Let G be a finite group. The prime graph of G is denoted by Γ(G). It is proved in [1] that if G is a finite group such that Γ(G) = Γ(B _p (3)), where p > 3 is an odd prime, then G ? B _p (3) or C _p (3). In this paper we prove the main result that if G is a finite group such that Γ(G) = Γ(B _n (3)), where n ≥ 6, then G has a unique nonabelian composition factor isomorphic to B _n (3) or C _n (3). Also if Γ(G) = Γ(B ₄(3)), then G has a unique nonabelian composition factor isomorphic to B ₄(3), C ₄(3), or ² D ₄(3). It is proved in [2] that if p is an odd prime, then B _p (3) is recognizable by element orders. We give a corollary of our result, generalize the result of [2], and prove that B _2k+1(3) is recognizable by the set of element orders. Also the quasirecognition of B _2k (3) by the set of element orders is obtained.     

On maximal abelian subgroups in finite 2-groups

We determine here up to isomorphism the structure of any finite nonabelian 2-group G in which every two distinct maximal abelian subgroups have cyclic intersection. We obtain five infinite classes of such 2-groups (Theorem 1.1). This solves for p = 2 the problem Nr. 521 stated by Berkovich (in preparation). The more general problem Nr. 258 stated by Berkovich (in preparation) about the structure of finite nonabelian p-groups G such that A ∩ B = Z(G) for every two distinct maximal abelian subgroups A and B is treated in Theorems 3.1 and 3.2. In Corollary 3.3 we get a new result for an arbitrary finite 2-group. As an application of Theorems 3.1 and 3.2, we solve for p = 2 a problem of Heineken-Mann (Problem Nr. 169 stated in Berkovich, in preparation), classifying finite 2-groups G such that A/Z(G) is cyclic for each maximal abelian subgroup A (Theorem 4.1).      

Identifications in modular group algebras

Let G be a group, S a subgroup of G, and F a field of characteristic p. We denote the augmentation ideal of the group algebra FG by ω(G). The Zassenhaus-Jennings-Lazard series of G is defined by D_n(G)=G∩(1+ωⁿ(G)). We give a constructive proof of a theorem of Quillen stating that the graded algebra associated with FG is isomorphic as an algebra to the enveloping algebra of the restricted Lie algebra associated with the D_n(G). We then extend a theorem of Jennings that provides a basis for the quotient ωⁿ(G)/ωⁿ⁺¹(G) in terms of a basis of the restricted Lie algebra associated with the D_n(G). We shall use these theorems to prove the main results of this paper. For G a finite p-group and n a positive integer, we prove that G∩(1+ω(G)ωⁿ(S))=D_n+1(S) and G∩(1+ω²(G)ωⁿ(S))=D_n+2(S)D_n+1(S∩D₂(G)). The analogous results for integral group rings of free groups have been previously obtained by Gruenberg, Hurley, and Sehgal.     

Group-valued continuous functions with the topology of pointwise convergence

Let G be a topological group with the identity element e. Given a space X, we denote by Cp(X,G) the group of all continuous functions from X to G endowed with the topology of pointwise convergence, and we say that X is: (a) G-regular if, for each closed set F⊆X and every point x∈X?F, there exist f∈Cp(X,G) and g∈G?{e} such that f(x)=g and f(F)⊆{e}; (b) G^?-regular provided that there exists g∈G?{e} such that, for each closed set F⊆X and every point x∈X?F, one can find f∈Cp(X,G) with f(x)=g and f(F)⊆{e}. Spaces X and Y are G-equivalent provided that the topological groups Cp(X,G) and Cp(Y,G) are topologically isomorphic.We investigate which topological properties are preserved by G-equivalence, with a special emphasis being placed on characterizing topological properties of X in terms of those of Cp(X,G). Since R-equivalence coincides with l-equivalence, this line of research “includes” major topics of the classical Cp-theory of Arhangel'ski? as a particular case (when G=R).We introduce a new class of TAP groups that contains all groups having no small subgroups (NSS groups). We prove that: (i) for a given NSS group G, a G-regular space X is pseudocompact if and only if Cp(X,G) is TAP, and (ii) for a metrizable NSS group G, a G^?-regular space X is compact if and only if Cp(X,G) is a TAP group of countable tightness. In particular, a Tychonoff space X is pseudocompact (compact) if and only if Cp(X,R) is a TAP group (of countable tightness). Demonstrating the limits of the result in (i), we give an example of a precompact TAP group G and a G-regular countably compact space X such that Cp(X,G) is not TAP.We show that Tychonoff spaces X and Y are T-equivalent if and only if their free precompact Abelian groups are topologically isomorphic, where T stays for the quotient group R/Z. As a corollary, we obtain that T-equivalence implies G-equivalence for every Abelian precompact group G. We establish that T-equivalence preserves the following topological properties: compactness, pseudocompactness, σ-compactness, the property of being a Lindelöf Σ-space, the property of being a compact metrizable space, the (finite) number of connected components, connectedness, total disconnectedness. An example of R-equivalent (that is, l-equivalent) spaces that are not T-equivalent is constructed.     

Finite 2-groups with exactly one nonmetacyclic maximal subgroup

We determine here the structure of the title groups. All such groups G will be given in terms of generators and relations, and many important subgroups of these groups will be described. Let d(G) be the minimal number of generators of G. We have here d(G) ≤ 3 and if d(G) = 3, then G′ is elementary abelian of order at most 4. Suppose d(G) = 2. Then G′ is abelian of rank ≤ 2 and G/G′ is abelian of type (2, 2^m), m ≥ 2. If G′ has no cyclic subgroup of index 2, then m = 2. If G′ is noncyclic and G/Φ(G ₀) has no normal elementary abelian subgroup of order 8, then G′ has a cyclic subgroup of index 2 and m = 2. But the most important result is that for all such groups (with d(G) = 2) we have G = AB, for suitable cyclic subgroups A and B. Conversely, if G = AB is a finite nonmetacyclic 2-group, where A and B are cyclic, then G has exactly one nonmetacyclic maximal subgroup. Hence, in this paper the nonmetacyclic 2-groups which are products of two cyclic subgroups are completely determined. This solves a long-standing problem studied from 1953 to 1956 by B. Huppert, N. Itô and A. Ohara. Note that if G = AB is a finite p-group, p > 2, where A and B are cyclic, then G is necessarily metacyclic (Huppert [4]). Hence, we have solved here problem Nr. 776 from Berkovich [1].     

The critical number of finite abelian groups

Let G be an additive, finite abelian group. The critical number cr(G) of G is the smallest positive integer ? such that for every subset S⊂G?{0} with |S|?? the following holds: Every element of G can be written as a nonempty sum of distinct elements from S. The critical number was first studied by P. Erd?s and H. Heilbronn in 1964, and due to the contributions of many authors the value of cr(G) is known for all finite abelian groups G except for G≅Z/pqZ where p,q are primes such that . We determine that cr(G)=p+q−2 for such groups.     

Universal deformation rings and generalized quaternion defect groups

We determine the universal deformation rings R(G,V) of certain mod 2 representations V of a finite group G which belong to a 2-modular block of G whose defect groups are isomorphic to a generalized quaternion group D. We show that for these V, a question raised by the author and Chinburg concerning the relation of R(G,V) to D has an affirmative answer. We also show that R(G,V) is a complete intersection even though R(G/N,V) need not be for certain normal subgroups N of G which act trivially on V.     

On the extendability of Bi-Cayley graphs of finite abelian groups

Let G be a finite group and A a nonempty subset (possibly containing the identity element) of G. The Bi-Cayley graph X=BC(G,A) of G with respect to A is defined as the bipartite graph with vertex set G×{0,1} and edge set {{(g,0),(sg,1)}∣g∈G,s∈A}. A graph Γ admitting a perfect matching is called n-extendable if ∣V(Γ)∣≥2n+2 and every matching of size n in Γ can be extended to a perfect matching of Γ. In this paper, the extendability of Bi-Cayley graphs of finite abelian groups is explored. In particular, 2-extendable and 3-extendable Bi-Cayley graphs of finite abelian groups are characterized.     

Above the Glauberman correspondence

Let S be a finite solvable group, and suppose S acts on the finite group N, and they have coprime orders. Then, the celebrated Glauberman correspondence provides a natural bijection from the set IrrS(N) of irreducible characters of N which are invariant under the action of S to the set Irr(CN(S)) of all irreducible characters of the centralizer of S in N. Suppose, further, that the semidirect product SN is a normal subgroup of a finite group G. Let θ∈IrrS(N), and let ψ∈Irr(CN(S)) be its Glauberman correspondent. We prove that there is a bijection with good compatibility properties from the set Irr(G,θ) of the irreducible characters of G above θ to Irr(NG(S),ψ) such that, in the case when S is a p-group for some prime p, it preserves fields of values and Schur indices over Qp, the field of p-adic numbers. Using this result, we also prove a strengthening of the McKay Conjecture for all p-solvable groups.     

Centralizers of coprime automorphisms of finite groups

Let A be an elementary abelian group of order p ^k with k ≥ 3 acting on a finite p′-group G. The following results are proved. If γ _k-2(C _G (a)) is nilpotent of class at most c for any ${a \in A^{\#}}$ , then γ _k-2(G) is nilpotent and has {c, k, p}-bounded nilpotency class. If, for some integer d such that 2 ^d  + 2 ≤ k, the dth derived group of C _G (a) is nilpotent of class at most c for any ${a \in A^{\#}}$ , then the dth derived group G ^(d) is nilpotent and has {c, k, p}-bounded nilpotency class.     

On integral Cayley sum graphs

Let S be a subset of a finite abelian group G. The Cayley sum graph Cay⁺(G, S) of G with respect to S is a graph whose vertex set is G and two vertices g and h are joined by an edge if and only if g + h ∈ S. We call a finite abelian group G a Cayley sum integral group if for every subset S of G, Cay⁺(G, S) is integral i.e., all eigenvalues of its adjacency matrix are integers. In this paper, we prove that all Cayley sum integral groups are represented by Z₃ and Zn₂ ⁿ, n ≥ 1, where Z_k is the group of integers modulo k. Also, we classify simple connected cubic integral Cayley sum graphs.