An identification theorem for the sporadic simple groups \(F_2\) and \(M(23)\). (Q2865894)

The authors provide a characterization of the sporadic simple groups \(M(23)\) and \(F_2\) from the approximate structure of the centralizer of an element of order 3 and certain fusion data for this element. This study is motivated by describing certain configurations which appear when classifying the finite simple groups. The papers of the authors [J. Algebra 323, No. 3, 601-621 (2010; Zbl 1206.20017); J. Aust. Math. Soc. 93, No. 3, 277-310 (2012; Zbl 1281.20014)] are relevant to this article. The results of the article have immediate application in the preprint of the authors [``Groups which are almost groups of Lie type in characteristic \(p\)'' (2011)].