Some primitive linear groups of prime degree. (Q1046434)

It is a classical problem to determine the finite irreducible subgroups of \(\text{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})\) up to conjugacy. The case where \(n=2\) was solved by Jordan and Klein in the nineteenth century, and for \(n=3\) and \(4\) the question was answered by Blichfeldt. In general the situation where \(n\) is a prime is simpler since in this case each irreducible subgroup of \(\text{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})\) is either primitive or monomial. \textit{R.~Brauer} [Math. Ann. 169, 73-96 (1967; Zbl 0166.28903)] and \textit{D.~B.~Wales} [Can. J. Math. 21, 1042-1056 (1969; Zbl 0214.04201) and Pac. J. Math. 34, 207-235 (1970; Zbl 0221.20059)] described the groups in the cases \(n=5\) and \(7\), respectively, and other authors contributed to answering the question when \(n\) is prime. Finally, using results of \textit{V.~Landazuri} and \textit{G.~M.~Seitz} [J. Algebra 32, 418-443 (1974; Zbl 0325.20008)], \textit{A.~E.~Zalesskiĭ} and the reviewer used the classification of finite simple groups to complete the solution for the prime case [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 57, No. 1, 126-134 (1998; Zbl 0954.20012), ibid. 77, No. 3, 808-812 (2008; Zbl 1188.20007) and J. Algebra 276, No. 1, 340-370 (2004; Zbl 1062.20051)]. However, unlike the classical solutions for \(n\leq 4\), the later authors do not give explicit sets of generators for the groups described. In the present paper the authors consider the special case where \(n\) is prime, \(G\) is a finite primitive subgroup of \(\text{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})\) and \(G\) contains a noncentral monomial normal subgroup (roughly half of the finite irreducible subgroups of \(\text{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})\) satisfy these conditions). For each conjugacy class of \(\text{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})\) consisting of such groups, they identify a suitable representative \(G\) and describe explicit generators for \(G\). The computations are quite involved but do not depend on the work cited above, and the paper is largely independent of the general classification. The paper concludes with lists of matrix generators for the subgroups in the cases \(n=5\) and \(7\).