A 2-local characterization of the Higman-Sims group (Q1868743)

A finite group \(G\) is said to be of type \(HS\) if there exist an involution \(z\in G\) and a subgroup \(V\simeq E_8\) such that \(H=C_G(z)\) and \(M=N_G(V)\) satisfy the following conditions: \(O_2(H)=Q\simeq Z_4*Q_8^2\) and \(H/Q\simeq S_5\); \(V\leq Q\), \(O_2(M)\simeq Z_4^3\) and \(M/O_2(M)\simeq L_3(2)\). The author proves that each group of type \(HS\) is isomorphic to the sporadic simple group \(HS\) discovered by \textit{D. G. Higman} and \textit{C. C. Sims} [Math. Z. 105, 110-113 (1968; Zbl 0186.04002)]. This characterization of \(HS\) is needed for purposes of the classification of quasithin groups of even characteristic [see \textit{M. G. Aschbacher, S. D. Smith}, in Groups and geometries. Proceedings of the conference, Siena, Italy, September 1-7, 1996. Basel: Birkhäuser. Trends in Mathematics. 1-7 (1998; Zbl 0895.20013)].