On the finite simple groups all of whose \(2\)-local subgroups are solvable (Q1279916)

One of the new tools in group theory used in the revision of the classification of the finite simple groups is the so-called amalgam method. The paper under review is one example and in fact a striking one. This paper is the last in a series of papers which are devoted to the classification of the finite simple groups all of whose 2-local subgroups are solvable. This originally was obtained by \textit{Z. Janko} [J. Algebra 21, 458-517 (1972; Zbl 0243.20013)], \textit{F. Smith} [J. Algebra 34, 481-520 (1975; Zbl 0325.20009)], \textit{D. Gorenstein} and \textit{R. Lyons} [J. Algebra 38, 453-522 (1976; Zbl 0402.20012)] and of course includes the \(N\)-group paper due to \textit{J. G. Thompson} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 75, 383-437 (1968; Zbl 0159.30804), Pac. J. Math. 33, 451-536 (1970; Zbl 0256.20024); ibid. 39, 483-534 (1971; Zbl 0256.20025); ibid. 48, 511-592 (1973; Zbl 0291.20014); ibid. 50, 215-297 (1974; Zbl 0291.20015); ibid. 51, 573-630 (1974; Zbl 0306.20012)]. The authors show that if such a group \(G\) contains two subgroups \(H\) and \(K\) with a common Sylow 2-subgroup \(S\), which is also Sylow in \(G\), and \(C_H(O_2(H))\subseteq O_2(H)\), \(C_K(O_2(K))\subseteq O_2(K)\), \(O_2(\langle H,K\rangle)=1\), and both are solvable and \(S\)-irreducible (i.e., \(S\) is in a unique maximal subgroup of \(H\) and \(K\), respectively), then both \(H\) and \(K\) are thin. In [J. Algebra 146, No. 2, 412-426 (1992; Zbl 0747.20006)], \textit{K. Gomi} and \textit{M. Hayashi} have shown that our group \(G\) has a strongly embedded subgroup, a Sylow 2-subgroup of \(\Aut(\text{Sp}(4,2))\), or we have groups \(H\) and \(K\) as above. So the classification of the simple groups with solvable 2-locals now is finished by the results of two papers due to \textit{K. Gomi} and \textit{Y. Tanaka} [Sci. Pap. Coll. Arts Sci., Univ. Tokyo 35, 11-30 (1985; Zbl 0605.20018); ibid. 40, No. 1, 37-47 (1990; Zbl 0712.20010)]. Basic for the proof and of independent interest is a characteristic subgroup called \(N^\infty(n,S)\). The definition is too involved to be given here. But in a certain sence it controls quadratic action on subgroups of \(S\) where elements in the module have large centralizers in a quadratically acting subgroup \(L\). This group shares with the Thompson subgroup the nice property that if \(N^\infty(n,S)\) is contained in a subgroup \(Q\) of \(S\) then \(N^\infty(n,S)=N^\infty(n,Q)\). Hence for a 2-local \(N\) we either have that \(N^\infty(n,S)\vartriangleleft N\) or \(N/O_2(N)\) has small quadratic action, i.e., the structure is very restricted. For another approach (also using the amalgam method) to the classification of the finite simple groups with solvable 2-local subgroups see a paper due to \textit{B. Stellmacher} [J. Algebra 190, No. 1, 11-67 (1997; Zbl 0877.20008)]. All these papers show the strength of the amalgam method and give hope for many other theorems to follow.