Cosets of normal subgroups and union of two conjugacy classes (Q6907124)

Let \(N\) be a normal subgroup of a finite group \(G\). Any non-trivial coset of \(N\) is contained in the union of some conjugacy classes of \(G\) and in earlier papers it was proven that if it is contained in only one conjugacy class of \(G\) or a class and the class of its inverses, then \(N\) is solvable [\textit{R. Guralnick} and \textit{G. Navarro}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 144, No. 5, 1939--1945 (2016; Zbl 1346.20037), Theorem B; \textit{A. Beltrán}, Monatsh. Math. 201, No. 2, 349--358 (2023; Zbl 1514.20106)]. Here, the author considers the case where two conjugacy classes are needed to cover a non-trivial coset.\N\NHe first translates the question into a character-theoretic problem and obtains more restrictions on the groups \(N\) and \(G\) involved when a non-principal irreducible character of \(N\) can be extended to an irreducible character of \(G\). In particular, if such a character exists, it is unique. Using the classification of finite simple groups and previous results, he shows that when \(N\) in this situation is not solvable, then any non-abelian chief factor of \(N\) is isomorphic to the direct product of finite simple groups of Lie type in odd characteristic. In this case, the Steinberg character is used to obtain a character which has the properties needed to extend form \(N\) to \(G\). The paper ends with some examples illustrating the various possible situations.