The cohomology of p-constrained groups (Q1103730)

Let G be a finite group, let k be a field of characteristic p, and let M and N be two kG-modules. It is well known that if M and N are not in the same block, the groups \(Ext^ n_{kG}(M,N)\) are zero for all n. The paper under review is concerned with the converse of this. The following results are obtained. (1) Let G be a p-constrained group [p. 268 of \textit{D. Gorenstein}, Finite groups (1968; Zbl 0185.057)]. If M and N are irreducible kG-modules in the principal block of kG, then \(Ext^ r_{kG}(M,N)\neq 0\) for some r. (2) Let G be a p-soluble group. If M and N are irreducible kG-modules in the same block of kG, then \(Ext^ r_{kG}(M,N)\neq 0\) for some r. (3) Under the circumstances of (1) or (2), suppose M or N is not projective. Let \(\ell =| G/O_{p'}(G)|\), and let \(b=2\ell /p\) if p is odd and \(b=\ell /2\) otherwise. Then there is a number n with \(n\leq \ell /4\) and \(n\leq 2\ell - 2/p\) such that \(Ext_{kG}^{n+bm}(M,N)\neq 0\) for all \(m\geq 0.\) Further, it is indicated that in (1) neither the hypothesis that G is p- constrained nor that M and N are irreducible (even for p-soluble G) can be dropped. An example is given which shows that (1) does not in general hold for non-principal blocks. Finally, an example of a non-p-constrained group G is given such that \(Ext^*_{kG}(M,N)\neq 0\) whenever M and N are irreducible kG-modules in the same block of kG.