Free subgroups in maximal subgroups of \(\text{GL}_1(D)\) (Q5945579)

Let \(D\) be a finite-dimensional division algebra with centre \(F\). It is proved in this paper that a maximal subgroup \(M\) of the multiplicative group \(D^*\) of \(D\) satisfies a sort of `Tits alternative'. Specifically, either \(M\) contains a non-cyclic free subgroup or there is a maximal subfield \(K\) of \(D\) that is Galois over \(F\) and such that \(K^*\) is a normal subgroup of \(M\) with \(M/K^*\) isomorphic to the Galois group of \(K\) over \(F\), or \(M\) is Abelian.