Unisingular Specht modules (Q6935858)

A representation \(\rho \colon G \to \mathrm{GL}(V)\) of a finite group is called unisingular if \(\det(1 - \rho(g)) = 0\) for all \(g \in G\). Building on earlier work by the author [Commun. Algebra 51, No. 12, 5297--5312 (2023; Zbl 1540.11070)], this article investigates the ordinary representation theory of the symmetric group \(S_n\), with a focus on determining which irreducible modules are unisingular. The main result establishes that the Specht module \(S^{(n-k,1^k)}\) is unisingular for all \(2 \leq k \leq n-3\), while \(S^{(n-1,1)}\) is not unisingular and \(S^{(2,1^{n-2})}\) is unisingular if and only if \(n\) is even.\N\NThe second main result shows that \(S^{(2^2,1^{n-4})}\) is unisingular if and only if \(n\) is even, resolving a conjecture from the author's previous work.