Classification of Finite Group Automorphisms with a Large Cycle (Q6828824)

If \(G\) is a finite group and \(\alpha\) is an automorphism of \(G\), then \(A=\langle \alpha \rangle\) acts naturally on \(G\) and provides a partition of \(G\) into orbits. The author studies the situation of \(A\) having one (necessarily unique) orbit of length larger than \(\frac{|G|}{2}\).\N\NAlthough this seems such a strong condition, it turns out that the classification of the finite groups in question is a completely nontrivial task. Using a smart combinatorial observation (Lemma 2.1.6), it is shown that \(G\) has an automorphism inverting more than half of the elements of \(G\). This makes it possible to use a result of \textit{H. Liebeck} and \textit{D. MacHale} [Math. Z. 124, 51--63 (1972; Zbl 0213.30505)] which, if \(G\) is nonabelian, provides three possible configurations. Each one of these leads to a contradiction, so the groups in question must be in fact abelian (Theorem 1.1.7).\N\NThe classification of the finite abelian groups admitting an automorphism \(\alpha\) with such a large length cycle is then obtained as a consequence of a long and delicate analysis of rational canonical forms -- as expected, an important case is that of elementary abelian \(p\)-groups.