Finite geometries of type \(C_ 3\) with flag-transitive groups (Q799939)

Let \({\mathfrak G}\) be the class of geometries \(\Gamma\) admitting a flag- transitive group of automorphisms G with the properties: Each rank 2 residue of \(\Gamma\) is either classical or a generalized 2-gon, and the stabilizer in G of each proper residue is finite. These geometries are of interest in the study of finite groups. In ''A local Approach to Buildings'' [The geometric vein, The Coxeter Festschr., 519-547 (1982; Zbl 0496.51001)] \textit{J. Tits} characterized buildings as the simply connected geometries with Coxeter diagram in which all residues of type \(C_ 3\) and \(H_ 3\) are buildings. There are no geometries in \({\mathfrak G}\) with residues of type \(H_ 3\). The underlying paper gives a result about geometries \(\Gamma\) of type \(C_ 3\) (Theorem 1): Let \(\Gamma\) be in \({\mathfrak G}\) of type \(C_ 3\) and G a flag-transitive group of automorphisms of \(\Gamma\). Then either \(\Gamma\) is a polar space or \(G\cong A_ 7\) and \(\Gamma\) is a 7-geometry. The author obtains two further theorems as consequences of this theorem concerning 7-geometries and geometries with a spherical diagram.