Elementary abelian p-subgroups of algebraic groups (Q810148)

Let G be a nearly simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field K. This means that the connected component of the identity \(G^ 0\) is perfect, \(C_ G(G^ 0)=Z(G^ 0)\) and \(G^ 0/Z(G^ 0)\) is simple. Let p be a prime unequal to char K. Projectively elementary abelian p- subgroups of G are investigated. A subset of G is called toral if it is in a torus and nontoral otherwise. The main result of the article under review is a classification of all nontoral p-subgroups \(E\subset G\) such that EZ/Z is elementary abelian for some subgroup \(Z\subset Z(G)\) and E is maximal with respect to this property. If \(G=G^ 0\), these subgroups exist iff \(| Z| \equiv 0(mod p)\) for \(G=A_ n(K)\), \(p=2\) for \(G=B_ n(K)\), \(C_ n(K)\), \(D_ n(K)\) and \(G_ 2(K)\), \(p\leq 3\) for \(G=F_ 4(K)\), \(E_ 6(K)\) and \(E_ 7(K)\), \(p\leq 5\) for \(G=E_ 8(K)\). The size of the review does not permit to give complete statements of the relevant theorems. If \(p=2\), for some groups G the subgroups E are parametrized by certain binary codes rather than described explicitly. One does not expect to enumerate such codes. A lot of other useful information concerning p-subgroups and semisimple elements, especially in exceptional groups, is given. Maximal extraspecial p-subgroups of \(E_ 8(K)\) are listed. The eigenvalue multiplicities on the adjoint module of elements of small orders in groups of types \(E_ i\) and \(F_ 4\) are indicated. The article has two appendices. The first one contains an alternate proof of Adams' results on maximal elementary Abelian 2-subgroups of \(E_ 8({\mathbb{C}})\) [see \textit{J. F. Adams}, `Elementary abelian 2-groups in \(E_ 8({\mathbb{C}})'\), preprint (1986)]. The second appendix is devoted to lifting a subgroup of a Chevalley group over one ring to that over another ring.