On the subgroup structure of classical groups (Q5906306)

Let \(V\) be a finite-dimensional space over an algebraically closed field, and let \(G\) be one of the classical algebraic groups \(\text{SL}(V)\), \(\text{Sp}(V)\) or \(\text{SO}(V)\). The main result of this paper is a reduction theorem concerning the subgroup structure of \(G\). The authors prove that any closed (finite or infinite) subgroup of \(G\) either lies in one of the ``natural proper subgroups'', or is almost simple and its unique quasisimple normal subgroup is irreducible on \(V\). Using this result, the authors give a new proof of a fundamental theorem on subgroups of finite classical groups due to \textit{M. Aschbacher} [Invent. Math. 76, 469-514 (1984; Zbl 0537.20023)]. The proof of the main result of this paper uses some basic facts from the theory of algebraic groups. Various complications in the finite group setting become much more straightforward in the algebraic group setting. It seems that this approach will yield other applications to finite classical groups.