Prime power degree representations of quasi-simple groups (Q5956893)

Let \(G(q)\) be a finite simple group of Lie type where \(q\) is a power of the prime \(p\). R. Steinberg has shown the existence of an irreducible complex character of \(p\) power degree for \(G(q)\), now called Steinberg character. In general, if \(p\) is a prime divisor of the order of a finite group \(G\), then a \(p\)-Steinberg character of \(G\) was defined by \textit{W. Feit} [in Linear algebraic groups and their representations, Los Angeles 1992, Contemp. Math. 153, 1-9 (1993; Zbl 0823.20013)], where he posed the problem of finding \(p\)-Steinberg characters of all finite simple groups. \textit{M. R. Darafsheh} [in J. Algebra 181, No. 1, 196-206 (1996; Zbl 0851.20008)] and \textit{Pham Huu Tiep} [in J. Algebra 187, No. 1, 304-319 (1997; Zbl 0874.20009)] solved the problem raised by W. Feit completely. In the paper under review the authors are interested in quasi-simple groups \(G\) such that \(S=G/Z(G)\) is not an alternating group \(A_n\), \(n>18\), where \(G\) has a faithful irreducible complex character of prime power degree. They provide a list of such groups in 27 families of groups.