Nontriviality of the first Hochschild cohomology of some block algebras of finite groups (Q2674540)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of prime characteristic \(p\) and let \(G\) be a finite group group of order divisible by \(p\). A consequence of a result in [\textit{P. Fleischmann} et al., Manuscr. Math. 80, No. 2, 213--224 (1993; Zbl 0820.20025)] shows that \(\mathrm{HH}^1(kG)\), the first Hochschild cohomology of \(kG\), is nontrivial. The block-wise version of this question has been asked in [\textit{M. Linckelmann}, Contemp. Math. 705, 155--188 (2018; Zbl 1436.20014)]: is it true that for any block \(B\) of a finite group algebra \(kG\) with a non-trivial defect group we have \(\mathrm{HH}^1(B)\neq 0\)? In this article the author studies the first Hochschild cohomology of some twisted group algebras. Some of these algebras are Morita equivalent to blocks of group algebras. For example, blocks having normal defect group in \(G\) or blocks of a group algebra \(kG\) where \(G\) is a \(p\)-solvable group. The first main result gives a sufficient criterion for the non-vanishing of the first Hochschild cohomology of twisted group algebras in terms of properties of the \(2\)-cocycle. More precisely, let \(G\) be a finite group such that \(p\) divides the order of \(G\) and let \(\alpha\) be a \(2\)-cocycle. Let \(G^{\circ}_{\alpha}\) be the set of \(\alpha\)-regular elements in \(G\) and let \(G_{C(p)}\) be the set of all elements of \(G\) which give the commutator index property \(C(p)\) for \(G\). If \(G_{C(p)} \cap G^{\circ}_{\alpha}\neq \emptyset\), then \(\mathrm{HH}^1(k_{\alpha}G) \neq 0\). The second main theorem of this paper provides classes of block algebras of finite groups which answer positively Linckelmann's questions. For example, if \(G\) is \(p\)-solvable, or if the defect group \(P\) is normal in \(G\). In this setting the author also poses two questions: Is the first Hochschild cohomology of twisted group algebras of finite groups (with order divisible by \(p\)) nontrivial? If not, can one find examples of such twisted group algebras which have zero first Hochschild cohomology? As application of the first main theorem, the author provides families of groups that answer positively the first question above. For example, if \(G\) is non-\(p\)-perfect or if \(G\) has a normal Sylow \(p\)-subgroup. The key ingredients for the proofs of the two main theorems are Lemma 3.5 in [\textit{S. J. Witherspoon}, Adv. Math. 185, No. 1, 136--158 (2004; Zbl 1063.16012)] applied to twisted group algebra, Lemma 7 in [\textit{R. Kessar} and \textit{M. Linckelmann}, Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 422, 324--330 (2015; Zbl 1346.20011)] and some properties of \(2\)-cocycles.