A converse to the Fong-Swan-Isaacs theorem (Q1097346)

Let G be a finite group. A p-modular character of G is called ``liftable'' if it is the restriction of an ordinary character of G to the p-regular elements. An ordinary irreducible character of G is called p-rational if its values lie in \({\mathbb{Q}}(\omega)\) for some nth root of unity \(\omega\) with p not dividing n. In an earlier paper [J. Algebra 94, 388-405 (1985; Zbl 0598.20004)] the author proved: if G is a group such that for each prime p every absolutely irreducible p-modular character of every factor group of G is liftable, then G is solvable. In the present paper he gives a simpler proof of the following result (but still has to appeal to the classification of finite simple groups). If for each prime p, every absolutely irreducible p-modular character of G is liftable to a p-rational character, then G is solvable. As the author points out, I. M. Isaacs in his refinement of the Fong-Swan Theorem has shown that, conversely, every solvable group satisfies this liftability condition and, indeed, the p-rational lift is always unique in the case \(p>2\).