When is a semilocal group algebra continuous? (Q2370209)

Let \(KG\) be the group algebra of a group \(G\) over a field \(K\) of positive characteristic \(p\). The authors prove that if \(KG\) is either (i) a commutative semilocal group algebra or (ii) a local PI algebra, then \(KG\) is continuous (Theorems 4.1 and 4.2). Furthermore, if \(G\) is an infinite nilpotent group, then the following statements are equivalent: (1) \(KG\) is semiperfect continuous, (2) \(KG\) is semilocal continuous, (3) \(KG\) is semiperfect CS, (4) \(KG\) is semilocal CS and (5) \(G=P\times H\), where \(P\) is an infinite locally finite \(p\)-group and \(H\) is a finite group such that \(p\) does not divide the order of \(H\) (Theorem 4.3). If \(G\) satisfies the condition (5), then \(KG\) is continuous if and only if \(H\) is Abelian (Proposition 4.1). Two examples are considered: in the first one a semiperfect PI group algebra is constructed which is not continuous and in the second one it is shown that \(KG\) can be continuous without \(G\) being nilpotent.