On the torsion of the group \(O(n,1;\mathbb Z)\) of integral Lorentzian \((n+1)\times(n+1)\) matrices (Q1295709)

The authors investigate the torsion of the group \(O(n,1;\mathbb{Z})\) of integral Lorentzian \((n+1)\times (n+1)\) matrices. In fact, for the most part the authors consider the subgroup \(\Gamma^n< O(n,1;\mathbb{Z})\) containing the positive Lorentzian matrices with integer elements. The torsion of \(\Gamma^n\) determines the torsion of \(O(n,1;\mathbb{Z})\). First, the maximal order of a 2-subgroup of \(\Gamma^n\) is determined. Then the maximal order of a \(p\)-subgroup of \(\Gamma^n\) is determined for certain odd primes \(p\). In particular, if \(p\) is a regular prime and \(p\equiv 1\bmod 4\), then the maximal order of a \(p\)-subgroup of \(\Gamma^n\) is determined explicitly. The results for regular primes \(p\equiv 3\bmod 4\) are too complicated to be given here. For any odd prime number \(p\), the group \(O(n,1;\mathbb{Z})\) has an element of order \(p\) if and only if \(n\geq p\) or \(n+1= p\equiv 1\bmod 4\). For \(1\leq n\leq 42\) the maximal order of a \(p\)-subgroup of \(O(n,1;\mathbb{Z})\) is determined explicitly for each prime number \(p\).