Basic sets for the double covering groups of the symmetric and alternating groups in odd characteristic (Q2301673)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, and let \(p\) be a prime number. A \(p\)-basic set for \(G\) is a set of irreducible ordinary characters of \(G\) whose restrictions to the set of \(p\)-regular elements in \(G\) form a \(\mathbb{Z}\)-basis for the \(\mathbb{Z}\)-module spanned by the \(p\)-Brauer characters of \(G\). The authors show that such a \(p\)-basic set exists whenever \(p\) is odd and \(G\) is a double cover of a finite symmetric or alternating group. Their proof makes use of generalized blocks, as defined by the reviewer et al. [Invent. Math. 151, No. 3, 513--552 (2003; Zbl 1043.20007)], and of (generalized) perfect isometries between them.