OD-characterization of almost simple groups related to \(L=\mathrm{PSL}(2,p^2)\) except \(\Aut(L)\) (Q6044839)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(\pi(G):=\{p_1,\dots,p_k\}\) denote the set of prime divisors of \(|G|\). The Gruenberg-Kegel graph (prime graph) of \(G\) denoted by \(\mathrm{GK}(G)\) has vertex set \(\pi(G)\) and two vertices \(p_i\) and \(p_j\) are adjacent iff there exists an element of order \(p_ip_j\) in \(G\). For \(p\in \pi(G)\), \(\deg(p)\) is the number of vertices adjacent to \(p\) in \(\mathrm{GK}(G)\). Further, \(D(G):=\{\deg(p_1),\dots \deg(p_k)\}\) is called the degree pattern of \(G\). A finite group \(G\) is called \textit{OD-characterizable} if for every finite group \(H\) such that \(|H|=|G|\) and \(D(G)=D(H)\), \(H\cong G\). The main theorem of this article shows that if \(G\) is an almost simple group related to \(P:=\mathrm{PSL}(2,p^2)\) and \(G\neq \Aut(P)\) then \(G\) is \textit{OD-characterizable}. Note that a group \(M\) is called an almost simple group related to a simple group \(S\) if \(S\unlhd M\leq \Aut(S)\).