Algebraic modules for finite groups

Thesis

The main focus of this thesis is algebraic modules---modules that satisfy a polynomial equation with integer co-efficients in the Green ring---in various finite groups, as well as their general theory. In particular, we ask the question `when are all the simple modules for a finite group G algebraic?' We call this the (p-)SMA property. The first chapter introduces the topic and deals with preliminary results, together with the trivial first results. The second chapter provides the general theory of algebraic modules, with particular attention to the relationship between algebraic modules and the composition factors of a group, and between algebraic modules and the Heller operator and Auslander--Reiten quiver. The third chapter concerns itself with indecomposable modules for dihedral and elementary abelian groups. The study of such groups is both interesting in its own right, and can be applied to studying simple modules for simple groups, such as the sporadic groups in the final chapter. The fourth chapter analyzes the groups PSL(2,q); here we determine, in characteristic 2, which simple modules for PSL(2,q) are algebraic, for any odd q. The fifth chapter generalizes this analysis to many groups of Lie type, although most results here are in defining characteristic only. Notable exceptions include the small Ree groups, which have the 2-SMA property for all q. The sixth and final chapter focuses on the sporadic groups: for most groups we provide results on some simple modules, and some of the groups are completely analyzed in all characteristics. This is normally carried out by restricting to the Sylow p-subgroup. This thesis develops the current state of knowledge concerning algebraic modules for finite groups, and particularly for which simple groups, and for which primes, all simple modules are algebraic.

Authors: Craven, D

• Publication date: 2007
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: tensor product; representation theory; Algebraic modules
• Subjects: Group theory and generalizations (mathematics)