On recognition of direct powers of finite simple linear groups by spectrum (Q6046838)

Let \(G\) be a finite group. The spectrum of \(G\) denoted by \(\omega(G)\) is the set of element orders of \(G\). We say that \(G\) is recognizable (by spectrum) if any finite group \(H\) satisfying \(\omega(H)=\omega(G)\) is isomorphic to \(G\). We say \(G\) is almost recognizable if there are finitely many non-isomorphic groups \(H\) such that \(\omega(H)=\omega(G)\). Finally, \(G\) is unrecognizable if it is neither recognizable nor almost recognizable. The present article deals with the recognizability of direct products of groups. Note that if \(G\) is a finite group, then there exists \(k_0\) (depending on \(G\)) such that \(\omega(G^k)=\omega(G^{k_0})\). Thus for \(k\geq k_0\), \(G^k\) is unrecognizable. In the present article, the authors give an affirmative answer to the following question which appears in the Kourovka notebook [\textit{E. I. Khukhro} (ed.) and \textit{V. D. Mazurov} (ed.), The Kourovka notebook. Unsolved problems in group theory. 20th edition. Novosibirsk: Institute of Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Div. (2022), \url{arXiv:1401.0300 }, Problem 20.58(a)]: Question: Is it true that for every positive integer \(k\), there exists a recognizable group that is the \(k\)-th direct product of a non-abelian finite simple group? The authors prove the following (see Theorem 1): Let \(k\) and \(l\) be positive integers and \(n=2^l\geq 56k^2\). Suppose \(L=\text{PSL}_n(2)\) and \(P\) be the \(k\)-th direct product of \(L\). If \(G\) is a finite group with \(\omega(G)=\omega(P)\), then \(G\cong P\), that is, \(P\) is recognizable. They also show that for some simple groups of Lie type \(G\) of unbounded rank, even \(G^2\) or \(G^3\) is unrecognizable (see Theorem 2).