On the homology of the higher relation modules (Q1122661)

Let \(1\to R\to F\to G\to 1\) be a free presentation of a group G. Then, for \(c\geq 1\), \(R_ c=\gamma_ cR/\gamma_{c+1}R\), where \(\gamma_ 1R=R\geq \gamma_ 2R\geq...\geq \gamma_ cR\geq..\). is the lower central series of R, can be regarded as a left G-module via conjugation in F. Such a module is called a relation module when \(c=1\) and a higher relation module otherwise. In this paper the author investigates the torsion in the homology groups \(H_ m(G,R_ c)\). Let \(c^*=4\) for \(c=2\) and \(c^*=c\) for \(c\geq 3\). The main result of this paper (Theorem 4.1) states that \(c^*H_ m(G,R_ c)=0\) for \(c\geq 2\), \(m\geq 1.\) This places the study of the 0-dimensional case (which is of special group-theoretic interest) in a broader context [\textit{R. Stöhr}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 46, 249-289 (1987; Zbl 0626.20018)]. The torsion of the Tate cohomology groups is also studied. It is shown that, for a finite group G, \((| G|,c^*).\hat H^ m(G,R_ c)=0\) for \(c\geq 2\), \(m\in {\mathbb{Z}}\). This result also provides an extension of the case \(m=0\) investigated by \textit{R. Stöhr} [J. Algebra 111, 248-261 (1987; Zbl 0634.20023)]. In view of the work of \textit{N. D. Gupta}, \textit{T. J. Laffey} and \textit{M. W. Thomson} [J. Algebra 59, 172-187 (1979; Zbl 0423.20007)] a more definitive result (Theorem 5.4) emerges for the quotient group \(\gamma_ cR/[\gamma_ cR,F]\). The effect of varying the free presentation on the Tate cohomology of higher relation modules is also examined.