Extensions for finite Chevalley groups. I. (Q1826712)

Let \(G\) denote an almost simple and simply connected algebraic group over the algebraic closure of the prime field \(\mathbb{F}_p\). In this paper the authors are concerned with describing extensions between simple modules for the finite Chevalley groups \(G(\mathbb{F}_{p^r})\) in terms of some related extensions for \(G\). The latter involves the truncated induced module introduced by the authors in their earlier paper [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 163, No. 2, 119-146 (2001; Zbl 0989.20034)]. Their formula is most efficient when \(p\geq 3(h-1)\) (\(h\) being the Coxeter number) because then this \(G\)-module is semisimple. In fact, in this case they obtain a description of the desired Ext-groups in terms of extensions for \(G\) involving simple modules as well as certain tensor products of simple modules. They apply their results to obtain more specific information about the (rare) occurrences of self-extensions of simple modules for \(G(\mathbb{F}_{p^r})\). Earlier work on this topic includes papers by \textit{E. Cline, B. Parshall, L. Scott} and \textit{W. van der Kallen} [Invent. Math. 39, 143-163 (1977; Zbl 0336.20036)] and the reviewer [Am. J. Math. 106, 489-504 (1984; Zbl 0547.20033), J. Algebra 111, 388-403 (1987; Zbl 0626.20029)]. The authors have followed up on their results in part II [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 354, No. 11, 4421-4454 (2002; Zbl 1050.20031)].