A classification of finite primitive IBIS groups with alternating socle (Q6095988)

Let \(G\) be a finite permutation group on a set \(\Omega\). An ordered sequence \((\omega_{1},\omega_{2}, \ldots, \omega_{\ell})\) of elements of \(\Omega\) is an irredundant base for \(G\) if the pointwise stabilizer is trivial and no point is fixed by the stabilizer of its predecessors. A permutation group such that all irredundant bases have the same size is said to be an \(\mathsf{IBIS}\) group. Using the O'Nan-Scott Theorem, \textit{A. Lucchini} et al. in [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 184, Article ID 105516, 17 p. (2021; Zbl 07385234)] have made the first attempt of classifying finite primitive \(\mathsf{IBIS}\) groups. In the paper under review the authors determine the almost simple primitive \(\mathsf{IBIS}\) groups having socle an alternating group. The main result is Theorem 1.2: Let \(G\) be an almost simple primitive IBIS group having socle an alternating group. Then one of the following holds: (1) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(n)\) or \(G=\mathrm{Sym(n)}\) of degree \(n\); (2) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(5)\simeq \mathrm{PSL}_{2}(5)\) or \(G=\mathrm{Sym}(5)\simeq \mathrm{PGL}_{2}(5)\) of degree 5; (3) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(6)\) or \(G=\mathrm{Sym}(6)\) of degree 6 (on the right cosets of \(\mathrm{PSL}_{2}(5)\) or \(\mathrm{PGL}_{2}(5)\); (4) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(7)\) of degree 15 (from the embedding \(\mathrm{Alt}(7) < \mathrm{Alt}(8) \simeq \mathrm{SL}_{4}(2)\); there are two such actions); (5) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(8) \simeq \mathrm{SL}_{4}(2)\) of degree 15 (there are two such actions); (6) \(G =\mathrm{Alt}(6)\) or \(G=\mathrm{Sym}(6)\) of degree 15 acting on the 2-subsets of \(\{1,2, \ldots, 6 \}\); (7) \(G=\mathrm{Alt}(6)\) or \(G=\mathrm{M}_{10}\) or \(G=\mathrm{P\Sigma L}_{2}(9)\) or \(G=\mathrm{P \Gamma L}_{2}(9)\) of degree 10.