The finite images of finitely generated groups (Q2766401)

A group \(G\) has polynomial subgroup growth (PSG) if the number of subgroups having index at most \(n\) in \(G\) is bounded above by some power of \(n\), as \(n\to\infty\). This definition gives rise to the `Gap Problem': Is there a non-trivial lower bound on the subgroup growth of non-PSG finitely generated groups?NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEIn this interesting paper the author proves that no such bound exists. He proves that there is a continuous range of types of growth between PSG and subgroup growth of type at least \(n^{\log\log n}\). The proof uses the construction of branch groups due to \textit{R. I. Grigorchuk} [in New horizons in pro-\(p\) groups, Prog. Math. 184, 121-179 (2000; Zbl 0982.20024)].NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe author also uses this construction to prove that given a non-empty collection \(S\) of non-Abelian finite simple groups, then there exists a 63-generator just infinite group whose upper composition factors comprise exactly the set \(S\). In the course of the proof he proves that there exists a 61-generator perfect group that has every non-Abelian finite simple group as a homomorphic image.