\(p\)-groups with a unique proper non-trivial characteristic subgroup. (Q411753)

A group \(G\) is said to be a `UCS-group', if it is nonabelian and has exactly one non-trivial characteristic subgroup. In [\textit{D. R. Taunt}, Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 51, 25-36 (1955; Zbl 0064.02402)], the nonnilpotent solvable UCS-groups were considered. D. Taunt intended to describe UCS \(p\)-groups. As the reviewed paper shows this is an enormously difficult problem. In this paper the UCS \(p\)-groups \(G\), mostly for \(p>2\), are considered. Such \(G\) must be special, i.e., \(Z(G)=G'=\Phi(G)\). For example, a Sylow \(2\)-subgroup of the simple Suzuki group \(Sz(8)\) is a UCS-group. More detailed results are obtained for the case \(d(G)\leq 4\), and even this case is non-trivial, unless \(d(G)=2\) (in the last case \(G\) is either \(Q_8\) or of order \(p^3\) and exponent \(p>2\)). In case \(\exp(G)=p^2\), \(p>2\), it is possible to say more (in that case, \(|G|=p^{2d(G)}\)).