The cohomology of the McLaughlin group and some associated groups (Q1358224)

Let \(H\) be a Sylow \(2\)-subgroup of \(M_{22}\). Then also \(M_{23}\), \(McL\) and \(\text{PSU}_4(3)\) have a Sylow \(2\)-subgroup isomorphic to \(H\). In [Topology 34, No. 2, 389-410 (1995; Zbl 0832.20075) and Preprint, Stanford (1993)] the authors determined the mod(2) cohomology of \(M_{22}\) and \(M_{23}\). In this paper they first calculate the cohomology for \(\text{PSU}_4(3)\) and then make use of a geometry for \(McL\) related to \(\text{PSU}_4(3)\) discovered by \textit{M. Ronan} and the reviewer [Eur. J. Comb. 5, 29-91 (1984; Zbl 0574.20012)] to determine the cohomology for \(McL\). Finally they can also determine \(H^*(3\cdot McL:2)\) inside of \(H^*(Ly)\). As \(3\cdot McL:2\) is a maximal subgroup of odd index in \(Ly\) it seems possible to use this result to determine \(H^*(Ly)\) too.