On principal blocks of \(p\)-constrained groups (Q2766444)

Let \(p\) be a prime and \(R\) the ring of integers in a finite extension \(K\) of the field \(\mathbb{Q}_p\) of \(p\)-adic numbers. Moreover, let \(P\) be a normal Sylow \(p\)-subgroup of a finite group \(G\) such that \(C_G(P)\subseteq P\), and let \(\alpha\) be an automorphism of the group ring \(RG\) preserving the augmentation ideal \(I_R(G)\). The authors prove that \(G\) and \(\alpha(G)\) are conjugate by a unit in \(RG\).NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThis is a special case of the so-called \(F^*\)-theorem announced by Roggenkamp and Scott 15 years ago, together with an outline of a proof. Details of that proof were never published, and some parts of the outline turned out to be problematic. The \(F^*\)-theorem is an important result in questions related to the isomorphism problem for group rings and the Zassenhaus conjecture. So a complete proof is highly desirable.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEIn the paper, the authors give a new outline of such a proof and complete one of its steps. The \(F^*\)-theorem asserts the following: Let \(p\) and \(R\) be as above, and let \(N\) be a normal \(p\)-subgroup of a finite group \(G\) such that \(C_G(N)\subseteq N\). Moreover, let \(\alpha\) be an automorphism of \(RG\) preserving \(I_R(G)\) and \(I_R(N)G\). Then \(G\) and \(\alpha(G)\) are conjugate by a unit in \(RG\).