Uniform \((2,k)\)-generation of the 4-dimensional classical groups. (Q1946110)

The authors determine pairs of generators for the groups \(\mathrm{SL}_4(q)\), \(\mathrm{Sp}_4(q)\), \(\mathrm{SU}_4(q^2)\) and their projective images. They require that the order of one of the generators is \(2\). Let the order of the other generator be \(k\). Clearly \(k>2\). The authors determine which groups can be \((2,k)\) generated. They show, that the generators \(x\) and \(y\) can be taken to be of the following type: \[ x=\left(\begin{smallmatrix} 0&0&1&0\\ 0&0&0&1\\ d&0&0&0\\ 0&d&0&0\end{smallmatrix}\right),\;d=\pm 1,\qquad y=\left(\begin{smallmatrix} 1&0&0&r_2\\ 0&1&0&r_4\\ 0&0&0&-1\\ 0&0&1&s\end{smallmatrix}\right). \]