Explicit \(K_{2}\) of some finite group rings (Q872187)

The author computes the group \(K_2(\mathbb{F} G)\) for certain finite groups and for some finite fields \(\mathbb{F}\) of characteristic 2. Among other computations, he proves that if \(\mathbb{F}\) is a field of order \(2^f\) and \(G\) is a finite abelian group of order \(n\) whose 2-rank is \(t\) and whose 4-rank is at most 1 then \[ K_2(\mathbb{F} G)\cong (\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})^{f(n/2^t)(t- 1)(2^t-1)}, \] generalising a result of \textit{R. K. Dennis}, \textit{M. E. Keating} and \textit{M. R. Stein} [Math. Ann. 223, 97--103 (1976; Zbl 0342.18006)], who computed \(K_2(\mathbb{F}[(\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})^t])\). The computations are explicit in the sense that the methods used allow the author to give a basis of the \(K_2\)-group in terms of explicit Dennis-Stein or Steinberg symbols. The author also proves that the inclusion of alternating groups \(A_4\to A_5\) induces an isomorphism \(K_2(\mathbb{F}_2A_4)\cong K_2(\mathbb{F}_2A_5)\) -- where \(\mathbb{F}_2\) is the field with 2 elements -- and that these groups are cyclic of order 2 with generator the Steinberg symbol \(\{(12)(34), (13)(24)\}\). A key tool here is hyperelementary induction for the functor \(G\to K_2(\mathbb{F}_2G)\). The author deduces the nontriviality of the groups \(K_2(\mathbb{Z} A_4)\) and \(K_2(\mathbb{Z} A_5)\).