Sharp characters with irrational values (Q678796)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, and let \(\chi\) be a character of \(G\) of degree \(n\). Let \(L\) be the set of values of \(\chi\) on the nonidentity elements of \(G\). We call \(L\) the type of the pair \((G,\chi)\). Put \(f_L(x)=\prod_{\alpha\in L}(x-\alpha)\). It is known that \(f_L(n)\) is a rational integer and \(|G|\) is a divisor of \(f_L(n)\). The pair \((G,\chi)\) is said to be sharp if \(f_L(n)=|G|\). In this paper we give a complete classification of sharp pairs of type \(L\) when \(L\) contains an irrational number. Our main result is the following. Main Theorem. Suppose \((G,\chi)\) is sharp and normalized and \(\chi\) assumes an irrational value. Then one of the following holds. (i) \(G\) is cyclic of order \(m\), and either \(m\geq 3\) and \(\chi\) is linear, or else \(m\geq 5\) and \(\chi\) is the sum of two complex conjugate linear characters of \(G\). (ii) \(G\) is dihedral of order \(2m\), where \(m\geq 5\) is odd, and \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree 2. (iii) \(G\) is dihedral or generalized quaternion of order \(2m\), where \(m\geq 8\) is even, and \(\chi=\psi\) or \(\chi=\psi+\varepsilon\), where \(\psi\) is irreducible of degree 2 and \(\varepsilon\) is linear with cyclic kernel of order \(m\). (iv) \(G\) is isomorphic to the binary octahedral group and \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree 2. (v) \(G\) is isomorphic to \(\text{SL}(2,5)\) and \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree 2. (vi) \(G\) is isomorphic to \(A_5\) and \(\chi\) is irreducible of degree 3.