A module-theoretic approach to abelian automorphism groups. (Q2339732)

Let \(G\) be a nonabelian finite \(p\)-group, \(p\) odd. Examples for special \(G\) with \(\Aut(G)\) abelian were studied in many articles such as recently by \textit{M. Morigi} [Commun. Algebra 23, No. 6, 2045-2065 (1995; Zbl 0836.20019)]. There is a module-theoretic approach to construct \(G\) with pre-assigned properties, the method was applied previously by several authors, for instance by \textit{S. P. Glasby} et al. [J. Algebra 348, No. 1, 85-109 (2011; Zbl 1252.20014)]. Consider an \(F_p\)-space \(V\) of dimension at least 4 corresponding to \(G/G'\), a subspace \(K\) of the exterior square \(\bigwedge^2V\) corresponding to the relations within \(G'\) satisfying \(v\wedge V\not\subseteq K\) for nonzero \(v\) corresponding to the assumption \(Z(G)=\Phi(G)\), an injective linear mapping \(f\colon V\to\bigwedge^2 V/K\) corresponding to \(p\)th-power relations. The condition that every automorphism is central, i.e. \(\Aut(G)=\Aut_c(G)\), is equivalent to require that the only invertible linear transformation \(\alpha\) of \(V\), with \(K\) invariant under the transformation induced by \(\alpha\) on \(\bigwedge^2V\) and \(\alpha\circ f=f\circ\overline\alpha\), is the identity, where \(\overline\alpha\) is the transformation on \(\bigwedge^2V/K\) induced by \(\alpha\). By means of this module-theoretic setting, the author provides examples \(G\) for which \(\Aut(G)=\Aut_c(G)\) is non-abelian and \(G\) is purely non-abelian; and \(\Aut(G)=\Aut_c(G)\) is either abelian or elementary abelian and yet \(G\) is not special.