Some nilpotent and locally nilpotent matrix groups (Q1263678)

The task of the paper under review is a detailed discussion of nilpotent and locally nilpotent matrix groups over ``special'' division rings. The notion of a ``special'' division ring is introduced by the author and denotes a division ring D with the following property: For every finite subset X of D and every finite subset Y of the subring R of D generated by X there is a ring homomorphism \(\phi\) of R into a division ring \(D_{\phi}\), where \(D_{\phi}\) has finite index a power of its positive characteristic (the author does not put any restriction on the characteristic of D). Using the concept of special division rings the author is able to generalize former results, in particular of \textit{A. I. Lichtman} [J. Algebra 88, 1-37 (1984; Zbl 0536.16023)] on nilpotent subgroups of general linear groups over certain division rings. One main point of the paper is the discussion of locally nilpotent subgroups of GL(n,D) for finite-dimensional division algebras D. Furthermore, some examples of special division algebras and rings and some examples of groups are included.