Systems of imprimitivity for wreath products (Q1984370)

Let \(G\leq \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F})\) be an (irreducible) imprimitive linear group over a field \(\mathbb F\). Then for some \(k>1\) dividing \(n\), \(G\) is conjugate to a subgroup of \(H \wr K\) where \(H\leq \mathrm{GL}_{n/k}(\mathbb{F})\) is primitive and \(K\leq S_k\) is a transitive permutation group of degree \(k\). The main question considered is the multiplicity of nonrefinable systems of imprimitivity for \(G\). In general, \(G\) can have several such systems of different sizes. Theorem 1.1 provides uniqueness criteria when \(G=H \wr K\). Specifically, there is a unique nonrefinable system of imprimitivity for \(H\wr K\), except in the following situation: \(k=n\) is even, \(|H|=2\), and \(K\leq C_2\wr S_{n/2}\). The proof of Theorem 1.1 supersedes a faulty proof in [\textit{V. S. Konjuh}, Izv. Akad. Nauk BSSR, Ser. Fiz.-Mat. Nauk 1973, No. 5, 5--9 (1973; Zbl 0275.20082)], which claimed uniqueness of the size of a nonrefinable imprimitivity system. An application to deciding inclusions between wreath product subgroups of \(\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F})\) is given.