Free linear actions of finite groups on products of two spheres (Q1320204)

A finite group \(G\) acts freely on some product of \(k\) spheres (possibly of different dimensions) when there are representations \(\rho_ i : G \to \text{GL}(n_ i,C)\), \(1 \leq i \leq k\) such that for each \(g \in G\), some \(\rho_ i(g)\) does not have 1 as a characteristic root. In a previous paper [J. Algebra 147, 456-490 (1992; Zbl 0797.57010)], the author proved that if such an action exists, then \(A_ 5\) and \(A_ 6\) are the only possible nonabelian composition factors of \(G\). When the action exists, \(k(G)\) denotes the minimal number of representations needed. \textit{H. Zassenhaus} [Abh. Math. Semin. Univ. Hamb. 11, 187-220 (1935; Zbl 0011.10302)] showed that a non-soluble group with \(k(G) = 1\) must be of the form \(S \times L\), where \(S \cong \text{SL}(2,5)\) and \(L\) is a certain type of soluble group with order prime to 2, 3, and 5. In the paper under review, the author investigates groups with \(k(G) = 2\). The main theorem says that such a group must contain a characteristic subgroup of a certain form. That form is a bit too complicated to state here, but a direct corollary is that a perfect group with \(k(G) = 2\) must be either \(\text{SL}(2,5) \times \text{SL}(2,5)\) or \(\text{SL}(2,9)\). The proof is completely algebraic, using finite group theory and some representation theory.