On symmetric quotients of symmetric algebras. (Q493011)

Let \(p\) be a prime, and let \((K,\mathcal O,k)\) be a splitting \(p\)-modular system for a finite group \(G\). Moreover, let \(\chi\) be an irreducible character of \(G\) over \(K\), and let \(e(\chi)\) be the corresponding primitive idempotent in the center \(Z(KG)\). It is known that the group algebra \(\mathcal OG\) is a symmetric algebra. The authors prove: (1) If the \(\mathcal O\)-algebra \(\mathcal OGe(\chi)\) is symmetric then either \(\chi\) lifts an irreducible Brauer character, or the decomposition number \(d_{\chi\varphi}\) is divisible by \(p\) for every irreducible Brauer character \(\varphi\) of \(G\). (2) If \(\chi\) is of central type (i.e. \(\chi(1)^2=|G:Z(G)|\)) then \(\mathcal OGe(\chi)\) is symmetric. (3) If \(G\) is a finite \(p\)-group with a cyclic subgroup of index \(p\) then \(\mathcal OGe(\chi)\) is symmetric. The authors also investigate the question where \(\mathcal OG/\mathcal O\left(\sum_{x\in G}x\right)\) is symmetric.