Chain conditions for subgroups of infinite order or index (Q1599273)

Various weakened forms of the maximal condition on subgroups max and the minimal condition on subgroups min have been proposed, the best known being the weak maximal and minimal conditions of \textit{D. I. Zajtsev} [Dokl. Akad. Nauk. SSSR 178, 780-782 (1968; Zbl 0167.28803)]. In the present work the author studies max-\(\infty\), the maximal condition on infinite subgroups, and min-\(\infty\), the minimal condition on subgroups of infinite index. Any Prüfer-by-finite group has max-\(\infty\) but not max, while an infinite cyclic-by-finite group has min-\(\infty\) but not min. The author analyzes the effect of imposing max-\(\infty\) or min-\(\infty\) on various classes of groups, including nilpotent groups, soluble groups, locally finite groups and linear groups. The conclusion in the case of max-\(\infty\) is that the groups are either polycyclic-by-finite or Prüfer-by-finite; for min-\(\infty\) the groups are Chernikov or infinite cyclic-by-finite. An example is given of a group with max-\(\infty\) but not max which is not Prüfer-by-finite. It is still an open question whether a group with min-\(\infty\) but not min must be infinite cyclic-by-finite.