Amalgams of prime index (Q1068204)

In extending the work of \textit{D. Goldschmidt} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 111, 377-406 (1980; Zbl 0475.05043)] the author proves the following theorem. Let \(p_ 1,p_ 2,p\) be primes with \(p_ i\neq p\), for \(i=1,2\), and \({\mathcal A}:=P_ 1*_ BP_ 2\) be a faithful amalgam of finite groups \(P_ 1\), \(P_ 2\) with \(| P_ i:B| =p_ i\), and B is a p- group. Then one of the following holds: (1) \({\mathcal A}\) is one of the 15 Goldschmidt amalgams (2) \({\mathcal A}\) is an \({}^ 2F_ 4(2)'\)-amalgam or an \({}^ 2F_ 4(2)\)-amalgam, (3) At least one of \(P_ 1\), \(P_ 2\) is not p-constrained. The proof of this paper uses the so called graph-theoretic approach. It is in the spirit of the Goldschmidt paper, i.e. the investigation of so called tracks in the associated trees plays an important role. At the end the author gets a geometric description of the amalgams which are not of Goldschmidt-type which he then uses to identify these amalgams with the \({}^ 2F_ 4(2)\)-amalgam or the \({}^ 2F_ 4(2)'\)-amalgam.