Powers of elements of the series substitution group \(\mathcal J(\mathbb Z_2)\). (Q5963955)

The paper under review is devoted to studying the power structure of the Nottingham group over a field of characteristic \(2\). \textit{S. A. Jennings} introduced [in Can. J. Math. 6, 325-340 (1954; Zbl 0058.02201)] the group \(\mathcal J(\mathbf k)\) of formal power series of the form \(x+\alpha_1x^2+\alpha_2x^3+\cdots\), with \(\alpha_i\) in the field \(\mathbf k\) under composition. This is called the Nottingham group when \(\mathbf k\) is a finite field, or more generally a field of positive characteristic, and was investigated by \textit{D. L. Johnson} [in J. Aust. Math. Soc., Ser. A 45, No. 3, 296-302 (1988; Zbl 0666.20016)]. Consider the subgroup \(\mathcal J_d(\mathbf k)\) of \(\mathcal J(\mathbf k)\) of the series for which \(\alpha_1=\cdots=\alpha_{d-1}=0\). The elements of \(\mathcal J_d(\mathbf k)\setminus\mathcal J_{d+1}(\mathbf k)\) are said to have depth \(d\). Jennings had shown that if \(\mathbf k\) has characteristic \(p>0\), then \((\mathcal J_d(\mathbf k))^p\subseteq\mathcal J_{pd}(\mathbf k)\). \textit{I. O. York} [Proc. Edinb. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 33, No. 3, 483-490 (1990; Zbl 0723.20010)] and \textit{R. Camina} [Prog. Math. 184, 205-221 (2000; Zbl 0977.20020)] improved upon this. In the paper under review the authors tackle in particular the case of characteristic \(2\), which turns out to be ``completely different'' from the case of odd characteristic. Among the many results, a complete description of the group \((\mathcal J_d(\mathbf k))^{p^rm}\) is given when \(\mathbf k\) is perfect of odd characteristic. The group \(\overline{(\mathcal J(\mathbb Z_2))^2}\) is computed, and the differences with the case of odd characteristic are discussed; this is also illustrated by the fact that \(\overline{(\mathcal J(\mathbb Z_2))^4}\) is shown to be a proper subgroup of \(((\mathcal J(\mathbb Z_2))^2)^2\). Explicit embeddings of the groups \(\mathbb Z_{p^m}\) and \(\mathbb Z\oplus\mathbb Z\) are also exhibited. The techniques employed are of independent interest and require a study of the interplay between the depth of an element and those of its powers, another instance where the case of characteristic \(p=2\) stands out; the authors also show that the field \(\mathbb Z_2\) plays a special role among fields of characteristic \(2\). We refer to the Introduction of the paper for the topological context, and a conjecture concerning the Steinlein-Zabreiko-Krasnosel'skii congruence.