The unipotent modules of \(\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb {F}_{q})\) via tableaux (Q1704089)

In [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 8, 229--232 (1976; Zbl 0358.20019)], \textit{G. D. James} used the action of the symmetric group \(\mathbb{S}_n\) on Young tableaux to construct the irreducible representations of \(\mathbb{S}_n\). In a subsequent paper [Representations of general linear groups. Cambridge etc.: Cambridge University Press (1984; Zbl 0541.20025)], \textit{G. D. James} constructs the unipotent modules for the finite linear group \(\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)\) over any field containing a non-trivial \(p\)-th root of the unity, with \(p\) the characteristic of \(\mathbb{F}_q\). However, this construction is very different from the tableaux approach used in the symmetric group, and in particular the proofs do not translate to proofs for the symmetric group. James then asks whether a construction exists that is more similar to that of the symmetric group. In the paper under review, the author answers James' question with a construction of the irreducible unipotent modules for \(\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)\) which is a natural analogue of that for the symmetric group. This construction uses the action of \(\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)\) on Young diagrams whose boxes are labeled with elements of \(\mathbb{F}_q^n\) and is based on the generalized Gelfand-Graev representations of \textit{N. Kawanaka} [Adv. Stud. Pure Math. 6, 175--206 (1985; Zbl 0573.20038)].