Finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over finite simple groups of Lie type. III: Semisimple classes in \(\mathrm{PSL}_n(q)\) (Q1676066)

The authors continue their analysis of finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over \(\mathbb{C}\) whose group of group-like elements is isomorphic to a finite simple group of Lie type, started with [the authors, J. Algebra 442, 36--65 (2015; Zbl 1338.16034); Commun. Contemp. Math. 18, No. 4, 35 p. (2016; Zbl 1357.16047)]. Recall that a finite group \(G\) collapses when every finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebra \(H\) with \(G(H)\cong G\) is isomorphic to \(\mathbb{C}G\). The main achievement of the present paper is that for infinitely many pairs \((n,q)\) the groups \(\mathrm{PSL}_n(q)\) and \(\mathrm{SL}_n(q)\) collapse. A key role in deciding when a group collapses is played by Nichols algebras. In fact, the first author, \textit{F. Fantino}, \textit{M. Graña} and \textit{L. Vendramin} proved that \(G\) collapses if and only if \(\mathrm{dim}\mathfrak{B}(V) = \infty\) for every irreducible Yetter-Drinfeld module \(V\) over \(G\) [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. (4) 190 No. 2, 225--245 (2011; Zbl 1234.16019)]. On the one hand, the latter ones are parametrized by pairs \((\mathcal{O},\rho)\) where \( \mathcal{O} \) is a conjugacy class in \(G\) and \(\rho\) is an irreducible representation of the centralizer \(C_G(g)\) in \(G\) of a fixed element \(g\in \mathcal{O} \). On the other hand, the algebra \( \mathfrak{B}( \mathcal{O},\rho ) \) associated with the pair \(( \mathcal{O},\rho )\) depends only on the rack \( \mathcal{O} \) and a suitable 2-cocycle arising from \(\rho\). As a consequence, one is lead to look for the pairs \((X,\mathbf{q})\), where \(X\) is a rack and \(\mathbf{q}\) is a 2-cocycle, such that \( \mathrm{dim} \mathfrak{B}( X,c^{\mathbf{q}} ) =\infty\). In this, we are helped by the existence of some criteria for a rack to collapse. A key tool introduced in the present paper is an additional criterion linked with racks of a new type, called type C, and descending from the recent classification in [\textit{I. Heckenberger}, \textit{L. Vendramin}, J. Eur. Math. Soc. 19, No. 7, 1977-2017 (2017; Zbl 1391.16036)]. The application of this new criterion allows the authors to deal with some open cases from previous papers and, in conjunction with the criteria of type D and F and the abelian techniques, to show that any semisimple conjugacy class in \(\mathrm{PSL}_n(q)\) lying in a large family collapses. For Part IV, see [the authors, Algebr. Represent. Theory 23, No. 3, 621--655 (2020; Zbl 1442.16031)].