Elementary Abelian 2-subgroups of Sidki-type in finite groups. (Q2469765)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, and \(V\) be a nontrivial elementary Abelian 2-subgroup of \(G\). If for each involution \(i\) in \(G\), \(C_V(i)\neq 1\), then \(V\) is called of Sidki-type in \(G\). \textit{S. Sidki} [J. Algebra 39, 66-74 (1976; Zbl 0379.20029)] conjectured that if \(V\) is of Sidki-type in \(G\), then \(V\cap O_2(G)\neq 1\). In this paper, the authors prove the following stronger version of Sidki's conjecture: \(V\cap O_2(G)\neq 1\) if \(V\) is such that whenever \(v\in V\) inverts an element \(h\) of odd order in \(G\) then \(C_V(h)\neq 1\). As part of the proof, they also establish a weak version of the saturation results of \textit{G. M. Seitz} [Invent. Math. 141, No. 3, 467-502 (2000; Zbl 1053.20043)] for involutions in finite groups of Lie type in characteristic 2. Seitz's results apply to elements of order \(p\) in groups of Lie type in characteristic \(p\), but only when \(p\) is a good prime, and 2 is usually not a good prime.