An equivariant analogue of Glauberman's \(ZJ\)-theorem (Q1858253)

Let \(R\) and \(G\) be finite groups. We say that \(R\) acts coprimely on \(G\) if \(R\) acts as a group of automorphisms on \(G\), \((|R|,|G|)=1\) and at least one of \(R\) or \(G\) is soluble. It is known that if \(R\) acts coprimely on \(G\) and \(p\) is a prime, then \(G\) has a unique maximal \(RC_G(R)\)-invariant \(p\)-subgroup denoted by \(O_p(G;R)\). If \(V\) is a \(G\)-module and \(g\in G\) then \(g\) acts quadratically on \(V\) if \([V,g]\not=0\) and \([V,g,g]=0\). The main result of the present paper is an analogue of Glauberman's \(ZJ\)-theorem (see \textit{G. Glauberman} [Can. J. Math. 20, 1101-1135 (1968; Zbl 0164.02202)] and Theorem 8.2.1 from the book of \textit{D. Gorenstein} [``Finite Groups'', 2nd ed., Chelsea, New York (1980; Zbl 0463.20012)]). This analogue is the following Theorem A: If \(R\) acts coprimely on \(G\not=1\), \(p>3\) is a prime and \(F^*(G)=O_p(G)\) then \(K^\infty(O_p(G;R))\) is a normal subgroup in \(G\) and, in particular, \(O_p(G;R)\) contains a characteristic subgroup that is normal in \(G\). Theorem A is proved by invoking Glauberman's \(K^\infty\)-theorem (see Theorem A from the paper of \textit{G. Glauberman} [Math. Z. 117, 46-56 (1970; Zbl 0192.35501)]) and Theorem B below on modules. The original idea was to use \(ZJ(O_p(G;R))\) instead of \(K^\infty(O_p(G;R))\) and to mimic the proof of Glauberman's \(ZJ\)-theorem, using Theorem B as a substitute for \(p\)-stability. Theorem B: If \(R\) acts coprimely on \(G\), \(p>3\) is a prime and \(V\) is a faithful \(GR\)-module over a field of characteristic \(p\), then any element of \(O_p(G;R)\) that acts quadratically on \(V\) is contained in \(O_p(G)\). The proof of Theorem B requires the following Theorem C of independent interest: If \(p>3\) is a prime, \(V\) is a faithful \(G\)-module over a field of characteristic \(p\) and \(L\) is a 2-local subgroup of \(G\), then any element of \(O_p(L)\) that acts quadratically on \(V\) is contained in \(O_p(G)\). The author remarks that Theorem A in conjunction with the Bender method (see the book of \textit{D. Gorenstein} [``Finite simple groups. An introduction to their classification'', Plenum Press, New York (1982; Zbl 0483.20008)]) may make it possible to prove very general results about finite groups that admit a coprime group of automorphisms. As a corollary to Theorem A, he obtains a result on an Abelian group acting coprimely and faithfully on a simple group.