Remarks on the shuffling problem for finite groups (Q2367113)

Let \((W_ n)_{n\geq 0}\) be a random walk on a finite group \(G\) generated by some probability measure \(\mu\) on \(G\). Then, by the theorem of Kawada-Itô, \((W_ n)_{n\geq 0}\) is asymptotically equidistributed if and only if \(\text{supp }\mu\) generates \(G\), and if \(\text{supp }\mu\) is not contained in any coset of any proper normal subgroup of \(G\). It is shown that the statements above are also equivalent to the fact that \(\text{supp }\mu\) generates \(G\), and that no nontrivial one-dimensional character of \(G\) is constant on \(\text{supp }\mu\). As an application it is shown that \(G\) is asymptotically equidistributed. Finally, for the symmetric group \(S^ n\) as well as for \((\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})^ n\times S^ n\) simple conditions on \(\mu\) are presented which are equivalent to asymptotic equidistribution of the associated random walk.