On the homological construction of the Steinberg representation (Q1802144)

Let \((G,B,N,R,U)\) be a finite group with a split \(BN\)-pair and \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(r\). Let \(St_ G\) be the Steinberg module of \(G\) defined over \(k\). The main result of this paper (Theorem 1) is a characteristic-free characterization of \(St_ G\) as the \((n-1)\)st homology \(kG\)-module \(H_{n-1}(\Delta_ k)\) of the Tits complex of \(G\). This theorem generalizes the well-known Solomon-Tits theorem which states that such characterization holds when \(r = 0\). As an application (Theorem 2) we determine the condition on \(r\) under which \(St_ G\) contains a \(G\)-fixed element.