On linear groups of degrees at most \(|{} P|{} -1\) (Q1178893)

The structure of finite complex linear groups \(G\) of degree at most \(| P|-1\) with a T. I. Sylow \(p\)-subgroup \(P\) is determined. If \(\overline {G}=G/Z(G)\) is nonabelian simple and \(\chi\) is a faithful complex character of \(G\) of degree at most \(| P|-1\), then one of the following holds: 1) \(\overline{G}=SL_ 2(2^ n)\), \(| P|=p=1+2^ n\), \(\chi(1)\geq p-2\); 2) \(\overline{G}=PSL_ 3(4)\), \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree 8; 3) \(P\) is cyclic, \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree \(| P|-1\), \(\overline{G}\) is isomorphic to \(PSL_ n(q)\) with \(n\geq 3\) and \(| P|=(q^ n-1)/(q-1)\); \(PSU_ n(q)\) with \(n\) odd and \(| P|=(q^ n+1)/(q-1)\); \(PSp_{2n}(q)\) with \(| P|=(q^ n+1)/2\); \(M_{11}\), \(M_{12}\) or \(M_{22}\) with \(| P|=11\); \(G_ 2(4)\) or \(Suz\) with \(| P|=13\); \(J_ 3\) with \(| P|=19\); \(M_{23}\) with \(| P|=23\); \(Ru\) with \(| P|=29\); or \(A_ p\); 4) \(\overline{G}\) is isomorphic to \(PSL_ 2(q)\) with \(| P|=(q+1)/(2,q-1)\), \(q\) or \(q+1\) and \(\chi(1)\geq(q- 1)/(2,q-1)\); \(PSU_ 3(q)\) with \(| P|=q^ 3\), \(q>2\) and \(\chi(1)\geq q(q-1)\); \(^ 2G_ 2(q)\) with \(| P|=q^ 3\) and \(\chi(1)\geq q^ 2-q+1\); \(^ 2B_ 2(q)\) with \(| P|=q^ 2\), \(q=2^{2m+1}\) and \(\chi(1)\geq \sqrt{q/2}(q-1)\); or \(Mc\) with \(| P|=125\) and \(\chi(1)\geq 22\). This generalizes and extends the results of \textit{H. Blau} [J. Algebra 114, 268-285 (1988; Zbl 0638.20014)] and the author [Contemp. Math. 82, 243-254 (1989; Zbl 0671.20032)]. The classification of finite simple groups and estimates from the work of \textit{V. Landazuri} and \textit{G. Seitz} [J. Algebra 32, 418-443 (1974; Zbl 0325.20008)] and the Atlas of Finite Groups [\textit{J. H. Conway}, \textit{R. T. Curtis}, \textit{S. P. Norton}, \textit{R. A. Parker} and \textit{R. A. Wilson} (Clarendon, Oxford 1985; Zbl 0568.20001)] are used heavily throughout the article.