On automorphisms fixing non-normal subgroups of groups (Q1901982)

The authors consider the group \(\Aut_{nn}G\) of all the automorphisms of the group \(G\), which leave invariant all non-normal subgroups of \(G\). This group contains the subgroup \(\text{PAut }G\) of all power automorphisms of \(G\), i.e. automorphisms which map every subgroup of \(G\) onto itself. The purpose of this paper is to study the structure of the groups for which \(\text{PAut }G\neq\Aut_{nn}G\), i.e. groups which possess non power automorphisms that leave all non-normal subgroups invariant. Since, as they prove, for non-abelian groups which are generated by elements of infinite order, we have \(\Aut_{nn}G=1\), the existence of elements of finite order is essential. The results describe groups with \(\Aut_{nn}G\neq\text{PAut }G\), under certain additional conditions. They prove that a non-periodic group \(G\), with \(\Aut_{nn}G\neq\text{PAut }G\), possesses an abelian subgroup of index 2, \(\Aut_{nn}G\) consists of central automorphisms and \(G\) is of a very specific structure. For periodic groups they impose the additional condition that every 2-generated subgroup is finite. I can state two of their results: Let \(p\) be an odd prime and let \(G\) be a \(p\)-group with \(\Aut_{nn}G\neq\text{PAut }G\). Then the commutator subgroup \(G'\) is cyclic and \(G\) is nilpotent of class at most 2. Let \(G\) be a periodic group with \(\Aut_{nn}G\neq\text{PAut }G\). Then for every odd prime \(p\) the Sylow \(p\)-subgroups of \(G\) are abelian.