The structure of periodic modules over modular group algebras (Q1163084)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(K\) a field of characteristic \(p\). All modules considered are finitely generated \(KG\)-modules. Now a module \(M\) is said to be periodic if there is an exact sequence of modules \[ 0\longrightarrow M\longrightarrow P_{n-1}\longrightarrow \cdots\longrightarrow P_0\longrightarrow M\longrightarrow 0 \] in which the \(P_i\) are projective. The period of \(M\) is the least length \(n\) of any such sequence. Here it is shown that: Theorem (*). The \(KG\)-module \(M\) is periodic if and only if its restriction to every elementary abelian \(p\)-subgroup of \(G\) is periodic. Moreover, results about the period are obtained. \textit{J. L. Alperin} and \textit{L. Evens} show [ibid. 22, 1--9 (1981; Zbl 0469.20008)] that the complexity \(c_G(M)\) of a \(KG\)-module \(M\) is equal to the maximum of the complexities of the restrictions of \(M\) to the elementary abelian \(p\)-subgroups of \(G\). The case \(c_G(M) =1\) yields Theorem (*). \textit{P. J. Webb} [ibid. 23, 311--318 (1982; Zbl 0475.20041)] obtains an integral version of Theorem (*).