Orthogonal determinants of \({\mathrm{SL}}_3(q)\) and \({\mathrm{SU}}_3(q)\) (Q6139359)

Let \(\chi\) be an ordinary irreducible character of the finite group \( G \) and suppose that \( \chi \) has Frobenius-Schur indicator \( +1 \) and even degree. Let \( K= \mathbb{Q}(\chi) \) be the field generated by the values of \( \chi \). In a previous paper [Arch. Math. 119, No. 1, 19--26 (2022; Zbl 1514.20030)], \textit{G. Nebe} showed that there is a unique element \( \det(\chi) \in K^{\times} / (K^{\times})^2 \), such that for every representation \( \rho\colon G\to \mathrm{GL}( n, L) \) affording \( \chi \) (where \( L \supseteq K\) is some field), every non-degenerate, \( \rho(G) \)-invariant symmetric bilinear form on \( L^n \) has determinant \( \det(\chi) \cdot (L^{\times})^2 \). This element \( \det(\chi) \) is called the orthogonal determinant of \( \chi \). In the paper under review, the orthogonal determinants of the irreducible characters of the groups \( \operatorname{SL}_3(q) \) and \( \operatorname{SU}_3(q) \) are computed.