Local fusion graphs and sporadic simple groups. (Q2517664)

Let \(G\) be a finite group with \(X\) a \(G\)-conjugacy class of involutions. The local fusion graph, \(\mathcal F(G;X)\), is the graph whose vertex set is \(X\) with distinct vertices \(x\) and \(y\) joined by an edge whenever \(xy\) has odd order. It is clear that \(G\) induces graph automorphisms (by conjugation) on \(\mathcal F(G;X)\) and acts transitively on the vertices. Various properties of local fusion graphs have been investigated by the authors and \textit{N. Greer} [J. Group Theory 16, No. 1, 35-49 (2013; Zbl 1290.20001)] and by the first author [J. Group Theory 16, No. 4, 595-617 (2013; Zbl 1284.20039)]. In particular, in the first paper, it was shown that local fusion graphs for finite symmetric groups always have diameter two, provided that the degree is at least five. The other finite irreducible Coxeter groups are dealt with in the second paper, which also considers the possible diameters. There, examples are given of groups which have local fusion graphs whose diameter can be arbitrarily large. Local fusion graphs have even being pressed into service in the area of computational algebra (see the authors' paper [J. Symb. Comput. 54, 1-8 (2013; Zbl 1277.20061)]), while graphs of a similar nature appear in the paper of \textit{A. Devillers} and \textit{M. Giudici} [J. Aust. Math. Soc. 85, No. 3, 305-322 (2008; Zbl 1177.20022)]. In the given paper, the authors determine the diameter of the local fusion graphs for (most of) the sporadic simple groups and their automorphism groups. They prove that if \(G=K\) or \(\Aut(K)\), where \(K\) is a sporadic simple group, \(X\) is a \(G\)-conjugacy class of involutions, and \((K,X)\neq(\mathbb B,2C/2D),(\mathbb M,2B)\) then \(\mathcal F(G;X)\) has diameter two.