Complex group algebras of the double covers of the symmetric and alternating groups. (Q2342185)

This paper answers a special case of an old question of Brauer: when do two finite groups have isomorphic complex group algebras, or equivalently when do they have the same multiset of degrees of irreducible characters? The general answer is `very often', but if one of the groups is taken to be quasi-simple, then isomorphism of group algebras often implies that the groups are isomorphic. The paper under review addresses the case where one of the groups is a Schur cover of a symmetric or alternating group. For the double covers of the alternating groups, the main result says that the group is determined by its group algebra; for the symmetric groups there are two double covers with isomorphic group algebras, and the main theorem says that no other group has the same group algebra as these two. The proof involves bringing in various results from elsewhere, especially on characters with prime power degrees or very small degrees. In addition the Classification of Finite Simple Groups is used in conjunction with computer calculations to rule out certain composition factors. The paper is very readable, with a very carefully considered layout and the required background neatly summarised. The paper has been very carefully written -- the only mistake I could find was an inequality the wrong way round in the proof of Lemma 4.4. The paper will serve as a good model for proofs of this kind, although (since there is not much detail on the representation theory of the double covers) would not be a suitable introduction to the area.