On universal and epi-universal locally nilpotent groups. (Q1409607)

Let \(\mathbf K\) be a class of groups and let \({\mathbf K}_\lambda\) be the subclass of groups with cardinality \(\leq\lambda\). A group \(G\) in \(\mathbf K\) is called `epi-universal' in \({\mathbf K}_\lambda\) if \(|G|=\lambda\) and if every group in \({\mathbf K}_\lambda\) is an epimorphic image of~\(G\). Here the authors are interested in \({\mathbf K}=L{\mathbf N}\), the class of locally nilpotent groups. They introduce a special type of locally nilpotent group called `pseudo-free'. It is shown that for certain cardinals \(\lambda\) there are pseudo-free locally nilpotent groups which are epi-universal in the class \(L{\mathbf N}_\lambda\). It is also shown, using a modification of P.~Hall's commutator collection process, that pseudo-free locally nilpotent groups are torsion-free. As a consequence the authors are able to prove that every locally nilpotent group is an epimorphic image of a torsion-free locally nilpotent group, thus answering a question of B.~I.~Plotkin.