Free linear actions of finite groups on products of spheres (Q1188151): Difference between revisions

An action of the finite group \(G\) on the \((n-1)\)-unit sphere \(S^n\) is linear iff there exists some \(\rho \in \Hom(G,O_{n+1}({\mathbb R}))\), where \(O_{n+1}({\mathbb R})\) denotes the orthogonal group on \({\mathbb R}^{n+1}\) such that this action is induced by \(\rho\) and the inclusion map \(S^n\subset {\mathbb R}^{n+1}\). The structure of finite groups having a fixed point free linear action on one sphere has completely been studied by, among others, \textit{H. Zassenhaus} [Abh. Math. Semin. Univ. Hamb. 11, 187--220 (1935; Zbl 0011.10302)] and \textit{S. A. Amitsur} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 80, 361--386 (1955; Zbl 0065.25603)]. The purpose of the reviewed paper is to study the structure of finite groups having a fixed point free linear and spherewise action on a product of spheres. A finite group \(G\) is good, if \(G\neq 1\) and for each \(g \in G -\{1\}\), there is some \(\rho_{g}\in \Hom(G,\mathrm{GL}(n,{\mathbb C}))\) (where \(n = n_ g\) depends on \(g\)) such that \(\rho_g(g)\) does not have 1 as a characteristic root. The author proves the following main result: If \(G\) is a finite good group and \(S\) is a non-abelian simple section of \(G\), then \(S\) is isomorphic to \(A_5\) or \(A_6\).