Clifford theory of simple modules (Q1117313)

Let \(F_ 0\) be a field, let H be a finite group, let N be a normal subgroup of H, and set \(G:=H/N\). If V is a G-stable simple \(F_ 0N\)- module then \(A:=F_ 0H/Ann(V^ H)\) is a crossed product of G with the simple algebra \(R:=F_ 0N/Ann(V)\). Moreover, the center K of R is a G- field. Similarly, \(E:=End_{F_ 0H}(V^ H)\) is a crossed product of G with the division algebra \(D:=End_ R(V)\). The author shows that A is isomorphic to Mat(d,E) as a G-graded algebra where \(d:=\dim_ DV\); in particular, Z(D) can be identified with K as a G-field. Set \(F:=C_ K(G)\) and suppose that the Schur index m of V is prime to [K:F]. Then D contains a division subalgebra \(D'\) (unique up to conjugation) with center F and Schur index m such that D is isomorphic to \(K\otimes_ FD'\). Then \(\Omega:=C_ E(D')\) is a crossed product of G with K such that E is isomorphic to \(\Omega \otimes_ FD'\) and A is isomorphic to \(\Omega \otimes_ FMat(d,D')\). Moreover, \(\Omega\) determines an element \(w_ H(V)\in H^ 2(G,K^.)\) which the author calls the Clifford obstruction of V. Then \(w_ H(V)=0\) if and only if V can be extended to an \(F_ 0H\)-module with Schur index m. In general, the computation of \(w_ H(V)\) can be reduced to the case where G is a p-group, H is quasi- elementary and an absolutely irreducible constituent of V is linear. As an application, the author shows that the order of \(w_ H(V)\) divides the number of exp(N)-th roots of unity in K. This includes many known results as special cases.