Ghost numbers of group algebras. II. (Q2355239)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, \(k\) be a field whose characteristic \(p\) divides the order of \(G\) and \(\mathsf{StMod}(kG)\) the stable module category of the group algebra \(kG\). A map in \(\mathsf{StMod}(kG)\) is called a ghost if it induces the zero map in Tate cohomology. The ghost number of \(kG\) is the smallest number \(n\) such that every composite of \(n\) ghosts in \(\mathsf{Thick}\langle k\rangle\) is trivial; \(\mathsf{Thick}\langle k\rangle\) denotes the thick subcategory of \(\mathsf{StMod}(kG)\) generated by the trivial module. The aim of this paper is a contribution for the computation of ghost numbers for finite groups. For this, the authors introduce the simple ghost number of \(kG\) and the strong ghost number of \(kG\), they compute these invariants in certain cases and they prove some relationships between them. For part I see [the authors, ibid. 18, No. 1, 1-33 (2015; Zbl 1331.20009)].