Chiral polyhedra arising from almost simple groups with socle \(PSL(2,q)\) (Q314044): Difference between revisions

The main theorem of this paper asserts that if \(G\) is an almost simple group with socle isomorphic to \(\text{PSL}_2(q)\) for some \(q\geq 4\), then \(G\) is the automorphism group of some chiral polyhedron if and only if \(G\) is not one of \(\text{PSL}_2(q)\), \(\text{PGL}_2(q)\), \(\text{M}(1,9)\) or \(\text{PSL}_2(4)\cong \text{PGL}_2(5)\). This theorem is a generalization of results in the literature which cover the particular cases when \(G\cong \text{PSL}_2(q)\) and \(G\cong \text{PGL}_2(q)\). An analogous result also exists in the literature for \textit{regular} polyhedra, as opposed to chiral ones. The proof proceeds by rewriting the condition of being an automorphism group of some chiral polyhedron as a statement about the existence of a pair of generating elements with certain special properties. One then combines this with detailed knowledge of the subgroup structure of almost simple groups with socle \(\text{PSL}_2(q)\) to yield the result. A careful case analysis is required.