Some classes of semisimple group (and loop) algebras over finite fields. (Q627977)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(K\) a field so that the order of \(G\) is not divisible by the characteristic of \(K\), i.e. the group algebra is semisimple. It is well known that the number of simple components of \(KG\) is the number of \(K\)-classes of \(G\). In characteristic zero this is due to Witt-Berman and it has been extended to positive characteristic by \textit{R. A. Ferraz} [J. Algebra 279, No. 1, 191-203 (2004; Zbl 1080.16025)]. Recall that \(g\) and \(h\) are in the same \(K\)-class if \(g\) and \(h^r\) are conjugate in \(G\) for some \(r\in\mathbb Z_n\) which is such that the map \(\xi_n\mapsto\xi_n^r\) defines an element in the Galois group of \(K(\xi_n)\) over \(K\) (here \(n\) is the exponent of \(G\)). In this paper the authors determine, for some finite groups \(G\), the structure of a semisimple group algebra of \(G\) over the rationals and over those finite fields where the Wedderburn decompositions have the least number of simple components. The groups \(G\) considered are those with the property that \(G/Z(G)\) is isomorphic \(\mathbb Z_2\times\mathbb Z_2\). These groups arose in the context of alternative loop algebras and have since then appeared in several other contexts. The indecomposable groups of this type break into five classes [see for example the book of \textit{E. G. Goodaire, E. Jespers} and \textit{C. Polcino Milies}, Alternative loop rings. North-Holland Math. Stud. 184. Amsterdam: North-Holland (1996; Zbl 0878.17029)]. The authors obtain similar information about the loop algebras of indecomposable right alternative loops and produce negative answers to the isomorphism problem over various fields.