The automorphism group of a finite \(p\)-group is almost always a \(p\)-group. (Q2370216)

Let \(p\) be a prime number, and suppose \(G\) is a finite \(p\)-group. The automorphism group \(A\) of \(G\) contains the normal \(p\)-subgroup \(F\) of the automorphisms that induce the identity modulo the Frattini subgroup, and \(F\) is non-trivial only when \(G\) is elementary Abelian. Therefore \(A\) is not an entirely arbitrary group. However, it has been shown by \textit{R. M.~Bryant} and \textit{L. G.~Kovács} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 17, 415-421 (1978; Zbl 0384.20017)] that given any subgroup \(H\) of the general linear group \(\text{GL}(d,p)\), there is a \(p\)-group \(G\) with minimal number \(d\) of generators such that \(A\) induces \(H\) as a linear group on the Frattini quotient of \(G\). (In particular, the quotient group \(A/F\) is isomorphic to \(H\).) In a contrast that is typical of other theories (such a graph theory), it is proved in this paper that the automorphism group of a finite \(p\)-group is almost always a \(p\)-group. (More precisely, \(A=F\) holds almost always.) This has to be interpreted in the following asymptotic sense. Consider the following parameters for a \(p\)-group \(G\): the prime \(p\); the number of generators; the length of the lower \(p\)-central series. If we fix any two of the parameters, and let the third one go to infinity, then the proportion of \(p\)-groups whose automorphism group is a \(p\)-group tends to \(1\). It is to be noted that it is still an open question whether the same asymptotics hold if we consider the groups of order \(p^n\), fix \(p\), and let \(n\) go to infinity. (This is question~9 of \textit{A.~Mann} [in J. Aust. Math. Soc., Ser. A 67, No. 3, 356-379 (1999; Zbl 0944.20012)].) We refer to the very well written Introduction for more details. This is an important result, and a variety of subtle techniques are cleverly used to prove it.