Maximal subgroups of exceptional groups of Lie type, finite and algebraic (Q2640706)

The maximal (closed, connected) subgroups of complex Lie groups were determined by \textit{E. B. Dynkin} [Tr. Mosk. Mat. O.-va 1, 39-166 (1952; Zbl 0048.016)]. The corresponding problem for the finite groups G of Lie type is much harder. The present paper is a substantial contribution to the case when G is an exceptional group. The first step is to determine the maximal closed subgroups of positive dimension in simple algebraic groups of exceptional type, over algebraically closed fields. This is done in Theorem 1 of the present paper, with some restrictions on the characteristic of the underlying field. The second step is to use this to prove a reduction theorem for maximal subgroups of a finite exceptional group of Lie type. That is, such a subgroup M is either one of a specified list of known subgroups, or \(F^*(M)\) is simple. The third main result of the paper attempts to classify some maximal subgroups of this last type. The authors consider the case when \(F^*(M)\) is a group of Lie type in the same characteristic, and this characteristic is sufficiently large.