The group of endo-permutation modules (Q1976869)

Let \(k\) be a field of characteristic \(p>0\) and \(P\) a finite \(p\)-group. A finitely generated \(kP\)-module \(M\) is called an endo-permutation module if \(\text{End}_k(M)\) is a permutation \(kP\)-module. These modules were introduced and studied by \textit{E. C. Dade} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 107, 459-494 (1978; Zbl 0395.16007) and ibid. 108, 317-346 (1978; Zbl 0404.16003)]. They play an important role in representation theory. For example, they appear as sources of simple modules in \(p\)-solvable groups, in the structure theory of nilpotent blocks and in the study of Morita and derived equivalences between blocks. Dade showed that the tensor product induces the structure of an Abelian group on the set of isomorphism classes of indecomposable endo-permutation \(kP\)-modules with vertex \(P\). This group is now called the Dade group of \(P\) and denoted by \(D(P)\). Dade also determined the structure of \(D(P)\) when \(P\) is Abelian. Based on this, \textit{L. Puig} [J. Algebra 131, No. 2, 513-526 (1990; Zbl 0699.20004)] proved that, for an arbitrary finite \(p\)-group \(P\), \(D(P)\) is always finitely generated. In the paper under review, the authors show that the torsion-free rank of \(D(P)\) coincides with the number of noncyclic subgroups of \(P\). They also show that, when \(p\) is odd, a certain quotient \(\overline D_t(P)\) of the torsion subgroup \(D_t(P)\) of \(D(P)\) is an elementary Abelian 2-group whose rank coincides with the number of nontrivial cyclic subgroups of \(P\). It is expected that \(\overline D_t(P)=D_t(P)\) in this case. One can view the Dade group construction as a functor on a certain category of finite \(p\)-groups where the morphisms come from restriction, inflation, deflation, tensor induction and isomorphisms. The authors show that there exists a nonsplit exact sequence of functors \(0\to\mathbb{Q}\otimes_\mathbb{Z} D\to\mathbb{Q}\otimes_\mathbb{Z} B\to\mathbb{Q}\otimes_\mathbb{Z} R\to 0\) where \(B\) is the Burnside ring functor and \(R\) is the rational character ring functor. Moreover, the functors \(\mathbb{Q}\otimes_\mathbb{Z} D\) and \(\mathbb{Q}\otimes_\mathbb{Z} R\) are simple. There is a similar exact sequence of functors involving \(\overline D_t\), for \(p\) odd. The results and techniques introduced in this paper constitute a considerable progress on questions that had remained open for many years.