On a theorem by Aschbacher (Q1108581)

Geometries of type \(C_ 3\) are of particular interest since due to a fundamental theorem of J. Tits every geometry described by a Coxeter diagram arises as a quotient of a building if and only if the same is true for all residual geometries of type \(C_ 3\) or \(H_ 3\). In Geom. Dedicata 16, 195-200 (1984; Zbl 0548.51005), \textit{M. Aschbacher} proved that a locally classical finite geometry of type \(C_ 3\) which has a flag-transitive automorphism group is either a building or the sporadic 7-geometry (with uniform parameter 2) constructed from the natural action of the alternating group \(A_ 7\) on seven elements. One of the main tools in Aschbacher's proof of this theorem was Seitz's classification of flag-transitive subgroups of Chevalley groups [\textit{G. M. Seitz}, Ann. Math., II. Ser. 97, 27-56 (1973; Zbl 0338.20052)] which had to be exploited several times. In the note under review the author gives a different more elementary proof of Aschbacher's theorem. However the use of Seitz's classification can not be completely avoided. The author uses the classification to show that a locally classical finite geometry \(\Gamma\) of type \(C_ 3\) with flag-transitive automorphism group G fulfills the following condition: (*) For every point a of \(\Gamma\) the stabilizer \(G_ a\) acts transitively on the set of ordered pairs of non-collinear points of the generalized quadrangle \(\Gamma_ a.\) Then it follows quite elementary that \(\Gamma\) is either a building or the 7-geometry. In general this conclusion is true for finite geometries \(\Gamma\) of type \(C_ 3\) with thick lines and point-transitive automorphism group G that fulfills condition (*). As a corollary the author gives a new proof of the result of Aschbacher (loc. cit.) that a locally classical finite geometry of type \(C_ n\), \(n\geq 4\), or of type \(F_ 4\) is a building if its automorphism group is flag-transitive.