New geometric presentations for \(\Aut\,G_2(3)\) and \(G_2(3)\). (Q2471473)

The authors prove a new amalgamation result for the group \(G_2(3)\) and its automorphism group. The amalgam for \(\Aut(G_2(3))\) consists of the subgroups \(\widehat L=2^3\cdot L_3(2)\), \(\widehat N=2^{1+4}.(S_3\times S_3)\), \(M=G_2(2)\) chosen in such a way that the intersection \(D=\widehat L\cap M\) is a maximal parabolic subgroup of \(M\) and that \(\widehat N\) equals the centraliser in \(\Aut(G_2(3))\) of an involution contained in the normal subgroup \(2^2\) of \(D\). The amalgam for \(G_2(3)\) is obtained by intersection with \(\widehat L\) and \(\widehat N\) and by adding a fourth group \(K\) which is \(\Aut(G_2(3))\)-conjugate but not \(G_2(3)\)-conjugate to \(M\). The article is very well written and is suitable for teaching students about geometric amalgamation of groups. This amalgam is particularly interesting to the authors because it occurs as a sub-amalgam inside Thompson's group \(Th\), which the authors plan to study in the future.