On groups with automorphisms generating recurrent sequences of the maximal period (Q2820940)

The author considers a finite group \(G\) and an automorphism \(f\) of \(G\) having the property that if \(x,y\in G\) and if \(|x|=|y|\), then \(y=f^k(x)\) for some integer \(k\). Such an automorphism is said to be of maximal period. The question is then to determine all finite groups \(G\) admitting such an automorphism of maximal period.NEWLINENEWLINEThe main result of this note is the classification of the abelian finite groups \(G\) possessing such an automorphism of maximal period. They are rather restricted in structure, with at most two prime divisors of their order. It is also shown that if \(G\) has odd order and if \(G\) has an automorphism of maximal period, then \(G\) must be abelian, which reduces the problem to finding all such groups of even order.