The torsion group of endotrivial modules. (Q2342189)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p>0\), and let \(G\) be a finite group with Sylow \(p\)-subgroup \(S\neq 1\). Moreover, let \(T(G)\) be the abelian group of equivalence classes of endotrivial \(kG\)-modules, and let \(K(G)\) be the kernel of the restriction map \(T(G)\to T(S)\). Whenever \(S\) is neither cyclic nor generalized quaternion nor semidihedral, \(K(G)\) is the torsion subgroup of \(T(G)\). In general, \(K(G)\) is isomorphic to the dual group of \(N/J\) where \(N=N_G(S)\) and \(J\) is the intersection of the kernels of all one-dimensional \(kN\)-modules whose Green correspondent is an endotrivial \(kG\)-module. For any nontrivial subgroup \(Q\) of \(S\), the authors define, in purely group-theoretical terms, a chain \(\varrho^1(Q)\subseteq\varrho^2(Q)\subseteq\cdots\) of subgroups of \(N_G(Q)\). Moreover, they ask whether \(J=\varrho^\infty (S):=\bigcup_{i=1}^\infty\varrho^i(S)\). Their main result shows that this is the case when \(S\) is abelian; in this case one even has \(\varrho^\infty(S)=\varrho^2(S)\). A main ingredient in the proof is \textit{P. Balmer}'s description of \(K(G)\) in terms of weak homomorphisms [J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS) 15, No. 6, 2061-2079 (2013; Zbl 1291.20009)].