Realizing regular representations of finite groups (Q7035946)

The main result of this paper (Theorem~3.1) establishes that for any finite group \(G\) and any integer \(n \geq 1\), there exists a finite \(T_0\)-topological space \(X\) such that the group of self-homotopy equivalences \(\mathrm{E}(X)\) and the group of homeomorphisms \(\mathrm{Aut}(X)\) are isomorphic to \(G\) and the induced action on the \(n\)-th reduced homology group \(\widetilde{H}_n(X)\) realizes the regular representation of \(G\). The construction uses finite posets without beat points and an explicit control over the homotopy type, extending previous results on topological realizations of group actions.\N\NThe author also discusses conditions under which other types of representations (e.g., sign and standard representations of the symmetric group) can be realized and provides obstructions for irreducible representations of abelian groups. A general technique for realizing representations from simplicial automorphisms is presented, including a realization of the Steinberg representation for groups with \(BN\)-pairs.