Valuation-like maps and the congruence subgroup property (Q5944900)

Let \(D\) be a finite-dimensional division algebra over its (infinite) centre \(K\) and \(N\) a subgroup of \(D^\times\) of finite index and containing \(-1\). Given a valuation \(v\) on \(D\) with values in an ordered group \(\Gamma\) and a homomorphism \(\varphi\colon N\to\Gamma\), \(v\) is said to be associated with \(\varphi\) if there is a map \(\theta\colon N\varphi\to\Gamma\) such that \(v=\varphi\theta\). If \(\theta\) is injective, \(v\) is said to extend \(\varphi\). The authors' object is to determine when \(N\) is open in the \(v\)-adic topology (briefly: \(v\)-open). A homomorphism \(\varphi\colon N\to\Gamma\) is called valuation-like if it is non-trivial and such that \(\alpha\in\Gamma\) exists, the level of \(\varphi\), satisfying \(\varphi(n)<-\alpha\) for some \(n\in N\) and \(\varphi(n)<-\alpha\Rightarrow\varphi(n+1)<-\alpha\). The authors prove that if \(N\) admits a valuation-like map \(\varphi\) with an associated valuation \(v\), then \(N\) is \(v\)-open. As a step towards this aim they show that if \(K\) is an infinite field and \(N\) a subgroup of finite index in \(K^\times\) then \(N\) is \(v\)-open for some non-trivial valuation \(v\) of \(K\) if and only if \(N\) admits a valuation-like map. Moreover, if \(N\) admits a valuation-like map \(\varphi\colon N\to F\), then \(v\) can be chosen to be associated with \(\varphi\) and to extend \(\varphi\) if either \(\alpha=0\) or \(\Gamma\) has height 1. Further, if \(K\) is finitely generated, then there exists a height 1 valuation \(v\), unique up to equivalence, associated with \(\varphi\) and \(N\) is \(v\)-open. Next the authors prove that for a finite-dimensional central division algebra \(D\) over a finitely generated infinite field \(K\), if \(N\) is a subgroup of finite index in \(D^\times\), containing \(-1\), then \(N\) is open for a non-trivial valuation \(v\) on \(D\) if and only if \(N\) admits a valuation-like map \(\varphi\). Moreover, if \(N\) admits such a map \(\varphi\colon N\to\Gamma\), then \(v\) can be chosen to be associated with \(\varphi\) and to have height 1. Valuation-like maps are related to the notion of the commuting graph of a group. For any finite group \(H\) its commuting graph \(\Delta(H)\) has as vertex set \(H\setminus\{1\}\) and as edges the pairs of commuting elements. This relation is made clear in the following theorem: Let \(D\) be an infinite division algebra (not necessarily finite-dimensional) over a field and let \(N\) be a normal subgroup of finite index in \(D^\times\). If the commuting graph of \(D^\times/N\) has diameter at least 4, then \(N\) admits a valuation-like map. If, moreover, \(D\) is finite-dimensional over a finitely generated field, then \(N\) is open in a non-trivial height 1 valuation of \(D\). A further result leads to a proof of the Margulis-Platonov conjecture [see \textit{V. P. Platonov} and \textit{A. S. Rapinchuk}, Algebraic groups and number theory, Pure Appl. Math. 139, Academic Press (1993; Zbl 0841.20046)] for groups of the form \(\text{SL}_1(D)\), by showing that no finite quotient of the multiplicative group of a finite-dimensional division algebra is non-Abelian simple. This is the non-existence theorem at diameter \(\geq 4\): Let \(\mathcal G\) be a class of finite groups such that (1) the members of \(\mathcal G\) are not soluble, (2) If \(G\in{\mathcal G}\) and \(N\triangleleft G\) with \(G/N\) soluble, then \(N\in{\mathcal G}\), (3) If \(G\in{\mathcal G}\) and \(N\) is a soluble normal subgroup of \(G\), then \(G/N\in{\mathcal G}\), (4) For any minimal member of \(\mathcal G\) (i.e. without a proper quotient in \(\mathcal G\)) the diameter is \(\geq 4\). Then no member of \(\mathcal G\) is a quotient of \(D^\times\) for any finite-dimensional division algebra \(D\). The authors point out that the techniques of this paper come close to resolving the following conjecture. All finite quotients of the multiplicative group of a finite-dimensional division algebra are soluble.