Essential dimension of symmetric groups in prime characteristic (Q6579112)

The essential dimension ed\(_k (Sn)\) of the symmetric group \(Sn\) is the smallest integer \(d\) such that the general polynomial \(X^n + a_1X^{n-1} + \dots + a_n\) can be reduced to a \(d\)-parameter form by a Tschirnhaus transformation. The problem of finding this number is open and originates in the work of \textit{F. Klein} [Lectures on the icosahedron and the solution of equations of the fifth degree. 2nd, rev. ed. New York: Dover Publications, Inc (1956; Zbl 0072.25901)]; see also \textit{N. G. Chebotarev}'s paper [Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Mat. 7, 123--146 (1943; Zbl 0060.04901)], long before the notion of an essential dimension of a finite group was formally defined. \N\NThe formal definition has been introduced by \textit{J. Buhler} and the second-named author [Compos. Math. 106, No. 2, 159--179 (1997; Zbl 0905.12003)], where the inequalities ed\(_k (S_n) \ge \lfloor n/2 \rfloor \) and ed\(_k (S_n) \le n - 3\) (\(n \ge 5\)) have been proved in characteristic zero. As noted by the authors of the paper under review, the proof of the former inequality given by Buhler and Reichstein goes through for any field \(k\) of characteristic ch\((k) \neq 2\), and the latter inequality is valid over an arbitrary field \(k\). By a result subsequently obtained due to \textit{A. Duncan} [Math. Res. Lett. 17, No. 2, 263--266 (2010; Zbl 1262.14057)], in characteristic \(0\), ed\(_k (Sn) \ge \lfloor (n +1)/2 \rfloor\), for any \(n \ge 7\). The exact value of ed\(_k (Sn)\) is open for each \(n \ge 8\) and any field \(k\), though it is widely believed that ed\(_k (Sn)\) should equal \(n - 3\), for every \(n \ge 5\), at least in characteristic \(0\).\N\NThe purpose of the paper under review is to show that ed\(_k (Sn)\) can be at most equal to \(n - 4\) in prime characteristic. Its main result, formulated as Theorem 1, states the following:\N\NLet \(k\) be a field of characteristic \(p > 0\) and let \(n\) be a positive integer whose binary presentation is \(n = 2^{m_1} +2^{m_2} + \dots + 2^{m_r}\), where \(m_1 > m_2 > \dots > m_r \ge 0\). Assume that one of the following conditions holds: (a) \(p\) is odd, \(p\) divides \(n\) and \(r \ge 4\). If \(r = 4\), assume further that \(k\) contains as a subfield a field of \(p^2\) elements. (b) \(p = 2\), \(4\) divides \(n\), and \(r \ge 2\). Then ed\(_k (Sn) \le n - 4\).