On maximal subgroups of the multiplicative group of a division algebra. (Q1048958)

Let \(D\) be a division algebra, finite dimensional over its center \(F\). In the paper the authors investigate the existence of maximal subgroups of the multiplicative group \(D^*\) of \(D\). It is shown in the paper (Theorem 1) that if \(D^*\) has no maximal subgroup then (i) If \(\deg(D)\) is even, then \(D\simeq(\frac{-1,-1}{F})\otimes_FE\), where \(E\) is a nontrivial division algebra of odd degree and \(F\) is Euclidean with \(F^{*2}\) divisible. (ii) If \(\deg(D)\) is odd then \(\text{char}(F)>0\), \(\text{char}(F)\nmid\deg(D)\) and \(F^*\) is divisible. (iii) In either of the above, there is an odd prime \(p\) dividing \(\deg(D)\). For such \(p\), \([F(\mu_p):F]\geq 4\) (hence \(p\geq 5\)) and the \(p\)-torsion in \(\text{Br}(F)\) is generated by noncyclic algebras of degree \(p\). This assures the existence of maximal subgroups for a wide spectrum of division algebras, in particular it shows that every division algebra of degree \(2^n\) or \(3^n\), \(n\geq 1\), has a maximal subgroup. It is shown that every quaternion division algebra has a maximal subgroup.