Non-abelian tensor square and related constructions of \(p\)-groups (Q2173308)

Let \(G\) be a group. The (non-abelian) tensor square \(G\otimes G\) of \(G\) can be identified, via a twisted commutator map, with a normal subgroup of the related group \(\nu(G)\): such identification often eases computations in the study of \(G\otimes G\). A connected construction is the weak commutativity group \(\chi(G)\), sharing a large quotient with \(\nu(G)\). If \(G\) is a finite \(p\)-group, then \(G\otimes G\), \(\nu(G)\), and \(\chi(G)\) are finite \(p\)-groups. Within the framework of \(p\)-groups, the authors extend work of \textit{P. Moravec} [Isr. J. Math. 174, 19--28 (2009; Zbl 1197.20013)] regarding relative features of \(G\otimes G\) viewed as a subgroup of \(\nu(G)\) and structural properties of \(\nu(G)\). One of such generalizations is achieved by passing from powerful \(p\)-groups to the larger family of potent \(p\)-groups. It is shown in this paper that, if \(G\) is a potent group, then \(G\otimes G\) and all the proper elements of the lower central series of \(\nu(G)\) are potently embedded in \(\nu(G)\); bounds on the exponent of \(\nu(G)\) in terms of the exponent of \(G\) are also given in this case. Similar results are proven to hold when \(\nu(G)\) is replaced by \(\chi(G)\) and \(G\) is a powerful group of odd order; the question of whether these last results are generalizable to potent groups is left open.