Stable pseudofinite groups (Q2370231)

Recall that a pseudofinite group is a group that satisfies the first-order theory of all finite groups; it is stable if no first-order formula \(\phi(\bar x,\bar y)\) orders an infinite set (this in particular implies various chain conditions). The authors show that a pseudofinite stable group is virtually soluble, i.e., has a normal soluble subgroup of finite index. The proof uses chain conditions and the result of \textit{J. S. Wilson} [J. Lond.\ Math.\ Soc., II. Ser.\ 51, No. 3, 471--490 (1995; Zbl 0847.20001)] that any infinite pseudofinite simple group is elementarily equivalent to a possibly twisted Chevalley group over a pseudofinite field; since the field would be definable, this contradicts stability by a result of \textit{J.-L. Duret} [Lect. Notes Math. 834, 136--162 (1980; Zbl 0489.03009)]. The authors remark that Chapuis, Simonetta, and later Khelif and Zilber, have constructed non-virtually nilpotent stable pseudofinite groups, so the result cannot be improved.