On element orders in covers of finite simple classical groups. (Q663590)

Problem 17.74 in the Kourovka Notebook [\textit{V. D. Mazurov} and \textit{E. I. Khukhro} (eds.), The Kourovka notebook. Unsolved problems in group theory. 17th ed. Novosibirsk: Institute of Mathematics (2010; Zbl 1211.20001)] asks the following. Let \(G\) be a finite simple group of Lie type defined over a field of characteristic \(p\) whose Lie rank is at least \(3\), and let \(V\) be an absolutely irreducible \(G\)-module over a field of characteristic \(r\) prime to \(p\). Is it true that the split extension of \(V\) by \(G\) must contain an element whose order is distinct from the order of any element of \(G\)? In [Sib. Mat. Zh. 49, No. 2, 308-321 (2008); translation in Sib. Math. J. 49, No. 2, 246-256 (2008; Zbl 1154.20009)], \textit{A. V. Zavarnitsine} proved that the answer is yes when \(G\) is a linear group. In the present paper the author proves that for the other classical groups (namely, \(U_n(q)\) where \(n\geq 4\); \(S_{2n}(q)\) where \(n\geq 3\); \(O_{2n+1}(q)\) where \(n\geq 3\); and \(O_{2n}^\pm(q)\) when \(n\geq 4\)) the answer is also yes, except for one group. The exception is \(U_5(2)\) (\(\cong{^2A_4(2)}\) and so of rank \(2\)) which has a \(10\)-dimensional module \(V\) over a field of characteristic \(3\) such that every element in the split extension of \(V\) by \(G\) has order equal to the order of some element of \(G\). A list of the simple groups of Lie type for which the problem remains open when \(p=r\) is given in Problem 17.73 of the Kourovka Notebook.