Centric linking systems of locally finite groups (Q2131812)

The concept of a centric linking system for a finite group was introduced by \textit{C. Broto} et al. [Invent. Math. 151, No. 3, 611--664 (2003; Zbl 1042.55008)]. A centric linking system of a finite group \(G\) allows one to associate a classifying space to the \(p\)-fusion in \(G\). In a later paper [\textit{C. Broto} et al., J. Am. Math. Soc. 16, No. 4, 779--856 (2003; Zbl 1033.55010)] the authors generalised the concept to abstract \(p\)-fusion systems. \textit{A. Chermak} showed that to any abstract fusion system over a finite \(p\)-group there is an associated centric linking system that is unique up to isomorphism, and hence a unique classifying space [Acta Math. 211, No. 1, 47--139 (2013; Zbl 1295.20021)]. In the current paper the concept of a centric linking system is generalised to locally finite groups. The paper proposes natural definition of a Sylow \(p\)-subgroup of a locally finite group and a generalisation of the concept of \(p\)-centricity of subgroups. This allows a straightforward definition of a centric linking system \(\mathcal{L}_S^c(G)\) similar to the finite case. The main theorem then states that if \(G\) is a locally finite group that admits a Sylow \(p\)-subgroup \(S\), and if the non-\(p\)-centric subgroups in \(S\) fall into finitely many conjugacy classes, then the \(p\)-completed nerve of \(\mathcal{L}_S^c(G)\) is homotopy equivalent to the \(p\)-completion of \(BG\). The work here generalises some aspects of the theory of fusion and linking systems over discrete \(p\)-toral groups [\textit{C. Broto} et al., Geom. Topol. 11, 315--427 (2007; Zbl 1135.55008)].