Ghost numbers of group algebras. (Q2352029)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(K\) be a field whose characteristic \(p\) divides the order of \(G\). The ghost number of the group algebra \(KG\) is the smallest number \(n\) such that every composite of \(n\) ghosts (maps inducing the zero map in Tate cohomology) in \(\text{Thick}\langle K\rangle\) is stably trivial; \(\text{Thick}\langle K\rangle\) denotes the thick subcategory of the stable module category \(\text{StMod}(KG)\) generated by the trivial representation. With this terminology, the generating hypothesis for \(\text{StMod}(KG)\) [see \textit{D. J. Benson} et al., J. Algebra 310, No. 1, 428-433 (2007; Zbl 1120.20002)] is the statement that the ghost number of \(KG\) is one. The aim of this paper is the study and the computation of the ghost number of \(KG\) for certain groups.