Prescribed absolute values, character sums and spectrum integrality. (Q448356)

Consider the complex group ring \(\mathbb C[G]\) of the finite group \(G\) and the action of this ring on itself by left multiplication. The author considers the problem: for which inverse-closed subsets \(S\) of \(G\) are the eigenvalues of the operator \(f:=\sum_{g\in S}g\) rational integers? Define \(\sim_G\) on \(G\) by \(a\sim_Gb\Leftrightarrow a\) and \(b\) generate the same cyclic subgroup. Then \textit{W. G. Bridges} and \textit{R. A. Mena} [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 32, 264-280 (1982; Zbl 0485.05040)] showed that when \(G\) is Abelian the eigenvalues of \(f\) are rational integers if and only if \(S\) is a union of \(\sim_G\)-equivalence classes. In the present paper the author proves the following. Let \(G\) be the dihedral group \(D_{2p}=\langle a,b\mid a^p=b^2=(ab)^2=1\rangle\) where \(p\) is an odd prime and \(S\subseteq G\) be an inverse-closed subset. Set \(S_a:=S\cap\langle a\rangle\) and \(S_b:=Sb\cap\langle a\rangle\). Then the eigenvalues of \(f\) are rational integers if and only if: (1) \(S_a\) is a union of \(\sim_G\)-equivalence classes; and (2) \(|S_b|\equiv 0\), \(1\) or \(p-1\pmod p\).