The isomorphism problem for group algebras: a criterion (Q2182109)

The isomorphism problem for group rings asks under which circumstances an isomorphism between group algebras \(RG\) and \(RH\) of groups \(G\) and \(H\) over a ring \(R\) implies an isomorphism of the groups \(G\) and \(H\). In this article, the author introduces the class of so-called hereditary groups over a finite commutative ring \(R\) for which an isomorphism of \(RG\) and \(RH\), for \(G\) a finite group, implies that \(G\) and \(H\) are indeed isomorphic. We will define his concept in a less technical manner. Namely, call a group H a \emph{virtual unit group} over \(R\) if there are finite \(R\)-algebras \(A\) and \(B\) such that the unit group of \(A\) is isomorphic to the direct product of \(H\) and the unit group of \(B\). Then, \(G\) is \emph{hereditary} over \(R\) if the direct product of copies of each subgroup of \(G\), including \(G\) itself, is a virtual unit group over \(R\). Namely, call a group \(H\) \emph{pre-hereditary} over \(R\) if there is a finite \(R\)-algebra \(A\) such that the unit group of \(A\) is isomorphic to the direct product of copies of \(H\) and another group \(U\) such that \(U\) is pre-hereditary over \(R\). Then \(G\) is \emph{hereditary} over \(R\) if each subgroup of \(G\), including \(G\) itself, is pre-hereditary over \(R\). This result is then used to reprove some results on the classical modular isomorphism problem, i.e. the question whether an isomorphism of group rings \(RG\) and \(RH\) for \(R\) a field of characteristic \(p\) and \(G\) and \(H\) finite \(p\)-groups implies an isomorphism between \(G\) and \(H\). Namely, the author shows that abelian \(p\)-groups are hereditary over the field with \(p\) elements as well as \(p\)-groups of nilpotency class \(2\) and exponent \(p\) (for \(p\) odd) or exponent \(4\) (for \(p=2\)). These are results from [\textit{W. E. Deskins}, Duke Math. J. 23, 35--40 (1956; Zbl 0075.23905); \textit{I. B. S. Passi} and \textit{S. K. Sehgal}, Math. Z. 129, 65--73 (1972; Zbl 0234.20003)]. It can be noted that the results in [\textit{R. Sandling}, Arch. Math. 52, No. 1, 22--27 (1989; Zbl 0632.16011)] imply that also \(p\)-groups of nilpotency class \(3\) with elementary abelian derived subgroup are also hereditary over the field with \(p\) elements.