Generation of finite simple groups by an involution and an element of prime order (Q515593)

Let \(G\) be a finite non-abelian simple group. The main result of this paper is that \(G\) is generated by an involution and some element of prime order \(p\), where \(p\) is dependent on \(G\). Many papers dealt with \(p = 3\). Not all simple groups are generated by an involution and an element of order three, but most of the sporadic and the alternating groups are generated in such a way and also the exceptional groups besides of course \({}^2B_2(q)\). The paper first deals with the remaining alternating groups and sporadic groups. Then, the author shows that for the classical groups \(\mathrm{Cl}_n(q)\) one can use a Zsigmondy prime \(p\), where \(p\) divides \(q^{2n}-1\) or \(q^{2n-2}-1\) for the unitary groups depending on \(n\) even or odd and in the remaining cases \(p\) divides \(q^n-1\), \(q^{n-1} -1 \) or \(q^{n-2}-1\), depending on the particular group and on \(q\).