Further reflections on Thompson's conjecture (Q1305040)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and let \(N(G)\) be the set of orders of all conjugacy classes of \(G\). J.~G.~Thompson has conjectured that if \(Z(G)=1\) and \(M\) is a non-abelian simple group with \(N(G)=N(M)\) then \(G\cong M\). In previous papers [Algebra Colloq. 3, No. 1, 49-58 (1996; Zbl 0845.20011) and J. Algebra 185, No. 1, 184-193 (1996; Zbl 0861.20018)], the author proved Thompson's conjecture in the case when \(M\) is a sporadic simple group or a simple group with at least three prime graph components. In this paper, he proves Thompson's conjecture for \(M\cong G_2(q)\).