Finite groups with an automorphism that is a complete mapping (Q783995)

Let \(G\) be a group and \(f\) a bijective function from \(G\) to \(G\). The function \(f\) is called a \textit{complete mapping} if and only if the function \(x\longrightarrow xf(x)\) is bijective. More generally, the author defines, for \(k \in \mathbb{Z}\), a \textit{\(k\)-complete mapping} of a group \(G\) as a bijective function \(f: G \longrightarrow G\) such that \(x\longrightarrow x^{k}f(x)\) is also bijective. Here, note that \(-1\)-complete automorphisms of finite groups are precisely fixed point free automorphisms. \textit{P. Rowley} proved in [J. Algebra 174, No. 2, 724--727 (1995; Zbl 0835.20036)] that a finite group with a \(-1\)-complete automorphism is solvable. Here in this article, the author proves that a finite group with a 1-complete automorphism is solvable. The proof depends on a careful analysis of the outer automorphisms of finite simple groups. The paper ends with a list of nice open problems for further research.