Group algebras with almost maximal Lie nilpotency index. (Q862005)

Let the group algebra \(KG\) be of prime characteristic \(p\) and let the commutator subgroup \(G'\) of the group \(G\) be a finite \(p\)-group. Then it is well-known that the group algebra is Lie nilpotent (upper Lie nilpotent). Let \(t_L(KG)\) (\(t^L(KG)\)) be its Lie nilpotency index (upper Lie nilpotency index), respectively. These indices have been investigated by many authors in the past two decades, and it is known that \(t_L(KG)\leq t^L(KG)\leq|G'|+1\), and the two indices coincide in characteristic at least five. As Jennings' theory describes the upper index, it is an interesting open question whether the two coincide even in characteristic two and three. There are only partial results in this direction, and \textit{V. Bovdi} and \textit{E. Spinelli} [Publ. Math. 65, No. 1--2, 243--252 (2004; Zbl 1070.16026)] characterised group algebras with maximal indices. In this paper, group algebras with almost maximal indices, that is of index \(|G'|\), are treated. The main result is that the group algebra has almost maximal Lie nilpotency index if and only if it has almost maximal upper Lie nilpotency index, and this happens in three cases: the characteristic is two and either the nilpotency class of the group \(G\) is two and the commutator subgroup \(G'\) is noncyclic of order four, or the nilpotency class is four and the commutator subgroup is Abelian noncyclic of order eight; or the characteristic is three and the nilpotency class is three and the commutator subgroup is noncyclic of order nine.