Embeddings of \(Alt_n\) and its perfect covers for \(n\geq 6\) in exceptional complex Lie groups. (Q908342)

\textit{R. L. Griess} jun. and \textit{A. J. E. Ryba} [J. Group Theory 5, No. 1, 1-39 (2002; Zbl 1025.20003)] have determined the finite quasisimple groups which can be embedded in the exceptional complex Lie groups. The object of this paper is to determine the number of conjugacy classes of these embeddings and some information about the embedding in the case where the simple factor is an alternating group. The case of \(\mathrm{Alt}_5\) and its covers was dealt with in a series of papers by the author culminating in [\textit{D. D. Frey}, J. Group Theory 4, No. 3, 277-323 (2001; Zbl 0988.20030)] and the case where the exceptional Lie group is \(G_2(\mathbb C)\) was already covered by \textit{R. L. Griess} jun. [Invent. Math. 121, No. 2, 257-277 (1995; Zbl 0832.22013)], so the present paper deals with the remaining cases. There are 21 covers of \(\mathrm{Alt}_n\) (\(n\geq 6\)) to consider and the paper is necessarily very technical. The author observes that his classification shows that when \(n>6\) each of these embeddings is into a proper connected subgroup of the Lie group except possibly when \(n=7\) or \(10\) and the group is \(E_8(\mathbb C)\).