Rational group algebras of finite groups: from idempotents to units of integral group rings. (Q453559)

Let \(\mathbb ZG\) be the integral group ring of a finite group \(G\). The authors give an explicit and character-free construction of a complete set of orthogonal primitive central idempotents of a rational group algebra of a finite nilpotent group and a full description of the Wedderburn decomposition applying results from the papers by \textit{E. Jespers, G. Leal} and \textit{A. Paques} [J. Algebra Appl. 2, No. 1, 57-62 (2003; Zbl 1064.20003)] and by \textit{A. Olivieri, Á. del Río} and \textit{J. J. Simón} [Commun. Algebra 32, No. 4, 1531-1550 (2004; Zbl 1081.20001)]. The primitive central idempotents are rational linear combinations of certain idempotents \(e(G,H,K)\), with \((H,K)\) strong Shoda pair subgroups of \(G\). For finite nilpotent groups \(G\) a complete set of matrix units is described for the component \(\mathbb QGe(G,H,K)\). As an application, if \(\mathbb QG\) does not have a direct component isomorphic to a noncommutative division algebra but a totally definite quaternion algebra, or a \(2\times2\) matrix algebra over the rationals, a quadratic imaginary extension of the rationals or over a noncommutative division algebra then the authors give three nilpotent subgroups of the group of units generating a subgroup of finite index. This result relies upon the celebrated theorem of Bass-Milnor-Serre-Vaserstein on the subgroup generated by elementary matrices being of finite index in the special linear group but in some exceptional cases. Furthermore, new constructions of free subgroups are provided.