Group extensions, representations, and the Schur multiplicator (Q796622)

The authors in these notes set out with the aim 'a unified treatment of various group theoretic topics for which, as it turns out, the Schur multiplicator is the key'. The first Chapter is preparatory in nature. Given a group Q and a Q- module N, let opext(Q,N) denote the set of equivalence classes of extensions of N by Q and if N is a trivial Q-module, let Cext(Q,N) denote the set of equivalence classes of central extensions of N by Q. Following on the lines of sum of congruence (equivalence) classes of module extensions as in \textit{S. MacLane} [Homology (1963; Zbl 0133.265)] the Baer sum of equivalence classes of extensions of N by Q is defined which makes opext(Q,N) an Abelian group. The Schur multiplicator M(Q) of a group Q is defined by the Schur-Hopf formula and for any Abelian group A the natural short exact sequence (which splits in a non-natural way) \[ Ext(G_{ab},A)\hookrightarrow C ext(Q,A) \twoheadrightarrow Hom(M(Q),A) \] is obtained. The 5-term sequence of Stallings-Stammbach corresponding to a central extension \(N\hookrightarrow G\twoheadrightarrow Q\) is extended by one term using the Ganea map. As an application of the extended exact sequence is proved the result of \textit{C. Miller} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 3, 588-595 (1952; Zbl 0047.257)] that for any Abelian group A the multiplicator M(A) is isomorphic to the second exterior power \(A\wedge A\) of A. Among other applications of the restriction corestriction maps it is proved that if G is a finite group and P is a Sylow p-subgroup of G, then image of \(res:M(P)\to M(G)\) is the Sylow p-subgroup \(M(G)_ p\) of M(G). Further that \(M(G)_ p\) is isomorphic to a direct summand of M(P). Let K be a field, \(K^*\) the multiplicative group of K and V a vector space over K. In the second chapter are studied projective representations of groups. A projective representation \(\gamma: Q\to PGL(V)\) is said to be lifted in a central extension \(e:\quad N \hookrightarrow G \twoheadrightarrow Q\) if there exist homomorphisms \(\alpha,\beta\) making the diagram \[ \begin{matrix} e: \quad & N & \hookrightarrow & G & \twoheadrightarrow & Q \\ &\alpha\downarrow && \beta\downarrow && \gamma\downarrow \\ \sigma_ v: \quad & K^* & \hookrightarrow & GL(V) && \twoheadrightarrow & PGL(V) \end{matrix} \] commutative. The problem of lifting a projective representation depends on the image of the transgression map \(\theta^*(e,K^*):Hom_ Q(N,K^*)\to Cext(Q,K^*).\) A central extension \(e:\quad N\hookrightarrow G\twoheadrightarrow Q\) is called a generalized representation group (representation group) of Q if the transgression homomorphism \(\theta^*(e): Hom(N,C^*)\to Cext(Q,C^*)\) is an epimorphism (isomorphism). Necessary and sufficient conditions for a central extension to be a generalized representation group (representation group) of Q are obtained. For example, e is a representation group of Q if and only if e is a stem extension and the inflation homomorphism \(M(\pi)=0\). This is so if and only if e is a stem extension and all complex representations of Q can be lifted in e. Each representation group of Q is isomorphic over Q to a central extension \(e':\quad M(Q)\hookrightarrow G\twoheadrightarrow Q\) with the cotransgression map of the associated 5-term homology sequence as the identical map. In terms of a free presentation \(Q=F/R\), every representation group of Q is isomorphic over Q to the central extension R/\(S\hookrightarrow F/S\twoheadrightarrow Q\) where S/[R,F] is the complement of M(Q) in R/[R,F]. If \(\gamma\) :\(Q\to PGL(V)\) is a projective representation of Q then \(\gamma^*(\sigma_ V)\in Cext(Q,K^*)\) is called the cohomology element associated with \(\gamma\). If Q is finite Abelian, K algebraically closed and \(x\in Cext(Q,K^*)\), then any two irreducible projective representations of Q with cohomology element x are projectively equivalent. (Generalized) representation groups of direct product and free product of groups are studied. The last section of this Chapter is devoted to study representation groups of perfect groups. For a perfect group Q there exists a unique representation group \(e:\quad M(Q)\hookrightarrow Q_ 0\twoheadrightarrow Q\) with \(\theta_*(e)=1\) and is called the universal perfect cover of Q. The following interesting result of Kervaire and Steinberg is included: Let \(\pi:G\to Q\) be a perfect cover of the perfect group Q. Then the following are equivalent: (i) \(Ker \pi \hookrightarrow G\twoheadrightarrow Q\) is isomorphic over Q to the universal perfect cover of Q, (ii) every representation group of G splits as an extension, (iii) for every central extension \(e:\quad A\hookrightarrow X\twoheadrightarrow^{\xi}Q\) by Q, there exists a unique lifting homomorphism \(\eta\) :\(G\to X\) with \(\xi \circ \eta =\pi.\) \textit{P. Hall} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 182, 130-141 (1940; Zbl 0023.21001)] introduced the notion of isoclinism of groups. This notion is extended to the notion of isoclinism of central group extensions and is studied in the third chapter. Some different characterizations of isoclinic central extensions (and of groups) are given. One among these is the following result of \textit{S. C. King} [Dissertation, Yale University, New Haven (1978)]: G is isoclinic to a finite group if and only if G/Z(G) is finite which is so if and only if G is isoclinic to a finite subquotient of itself. Isoclinism classes of those central extensions which are isoclinic to a given stem extension and whose branch factors are isomorphic to a given Abelian group are determined. Implications of the isoclinism relation for ordinary and modular representations of finite groups are worked out. The last chapter begins with a study of deficiency of finitely presented groups and P. Hall's inequality for the deficiency of such a group is obtained. Examples of \textit{R. G. Swan} [Topology 4, 193-208 (1965; Zbl 0146.040)] and of \textit{J. W. Wamsley} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 5, 129-144 (1973; Zbl 0272.20028)] of some efficient and non-efficient groups are given. Use of the 5-term exact sequence of Stallings-Stammbach in obtaining results is clearly demonstrated. All finite metacyclic groups are efficient. Also any two finite metacyclic groups with isomorphic central factor groups are isoclinic. Unicentral groups are characterized through the Ganea map and it is proved that a metacyclic group G is unicentral if and only if \(M(G)=0\). A metacyclic group is proved to have a faithful irreducible complex projective representation precisely when it is capable. Of course there are many other interesting results in the chapter. The varietal multiplicator is studied and explicit results on-when a central group extension lies in a given variety of exponent zero are obtained, e.g. if \({\mathcal V}\) is a variety of exponent 0, then a \(Q\in {\mathcal V}\) is absolutely-\({\mathcal V}\) (i.e. every central extension \(A\hookrightarrow G\twoheadrightarrow Q\) lies in \({\mathcal V})\) if and only if some generalized representation group of Q lies in \({\mathcal V}\). In particular an Abelian group Q is absolutely-Abelian precisely when \(M(Q)=0\). The chapter ends with a development of isologism. This section is intended as a preparation to study papers on varietal cohomology such as \textit{C. R. Leedham-Green}, \textit{S. McKay} [Acta Math. 137, 99-150 (1976; Zbl 0364.20036)]. \(\{\) There are several avoidable misprints.\(\}\)