The stable category and invertible modules for infinite groups (Q2335494)

In the modular representation theory of groups, the stable module category is of fundamental importance. It is characterized as the largest quotient category on which the syzygy operator is well-defined and invertible. It is a triangulated category if the distinguished triangles are taken to be all the triangles that are isomorphic to the image of a short exact sequence of modules. In the article under review, the authors construct a stable category of modules for a large class of infinite groups, at least for a fairly large class of groups which called the groups of type \(\Phi_k\) [\textit{O. Talelli}, Arch. Math. 89, No. 1, 24--32 (2007; Zbl 1158.20026)]. This class includes all groups of finite virtual cohomological dimension over \(k\) and all groups that admit a finite dimensional classifying space for proper actions, where \(k\) is a commutative Noetherian ring of finite global dimension. This stable category has a well-behaved tensor product over the ground ring \(k\), so it is a tensor triangulated category in the language of Balmer. One important invariant of such a category is its Picard group. Its elements are the stable isomorphism classes of \(kG\)-modules \(M\) for which there exists a module \(N\) such that it is in the stable class of the trivial module \(k\). These elements form a group under the tensor product. For finite groups, this is known as the group of endotrivial modules and has been extensively studied by many authors (see [\textit{J. Thévenaz}, in: Group representation theory. Based on the research semester ``Group representation theory'', Lausanne, Switzerland, January -- June, 2005. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; Lausanne: EPFL Press. 115--147 (2007; Zbl 1154.20004)] for an excellent survey). The authors also describe the Picard group for groups \(G\) of type \(\Phi_k\) which act on trees (with finite stabilizers) and some examples are presented in the last section of the article.