Finite groups with real conjugacy classes of prime size. (Q5962250)

In this article, the authors establish results characterizing finite groups whose real conjugacy classes are of prime power size. A conjugacy class \(g^G\) is called real if \(g^G=(g^{-1})^G\). These are precisely the conjugacy classes on which every character of \(G\) takes on a real value. In Theorem A, the authors establish that if \(G\) is a finite group all of whose noncentral real conjugacy classes have prime power size, then \(G\) is solvable. Further, the authors are able to characterize the set of real conjugacy classes in this case as one of \(\{1,2\}\), \(\{1,p\}\), or \(\{1,2,p\}\) for some odd prime \(p\). The authors continue by establishing the structure of finite groups whose real conjugacy classes have size \(\{1,2,p\}\) for \(p\) an odd prime. In Theorem C, the authors establish that if \(G\) is a finite group and all noncentral real conjugacy classes of \(G\) have prime size, then \(G\) has either a normal \(2\)-complement or a normal Sylow \(2\)-subgroup. The proof of the first part of Theorem A proceeds by induction on the order of the group. The proofs of the other results rely on a series of lemmas and earlier results established by \textit{G. Navarro, L. Sanus} and \textit{Pham Huu Tiep} [Isr. J. Math. 171, 157-173 (2009; Zbl 1186.20010)] as well as results from \textit{D. Chillag} and \textit{A. Mann} [Commun. Algebra 26, No. 7, 2041-2064 (1998; Zbl 0906.20005)] and \textit{S. Dolfi, G. Navarro} and \textit{Pham Huu Tiep} [Math Z. 259, No. 4, 755-774 (2008; Zbl 1149.20006)].