Projective modules, augmentation and idempotents in group algebras (Q5936004)

Let \(\mathbb{C} G\) denote the complex group ring of a group \(G\) and let \(I_G\) be its augmentation ideal. If \(P\) is a (left) \(\mathbb{C} G\)-module, then its covariance is defined to be the trivial \(\mathbb{C} G\)-factor module \(P_G=P/I_GP\), and \(G\) is said to be contained in the class \(\mathcal S\) if, for all projective modules \(P\neq 0\), we have \(P_G\neq 0\). This definition is motivated by the fact that if \(G\in{\mathcal S}\), then \(G\) is torsion free and \(\mathbb{C} G\) contains no nontrivial idempotents. It is shown here that \(\mathcal S\) is closed under subgroups, extensions, direct products and free products. The paper closes by considering the dependence of the property \(\mathcal S\) on the nature of the field.