Omega subgroups of pro-\(p\) groups. (Q948894)

In a pro-\(p\) group \(G\), let \(\Omega_i(G)\) be the subgroup generated by all elements \(x\in G\) such that \(x^{p^i}=1\). It seems reasonable to ask for conditions (for example the inclusion of a certain power-commutator in another power-commutator subgroup) which guarantee that the exponent of \(\Omega_i(G)\) is not too large. The authors obtain a result in this direction. Let \(k\geq 1\); if \(\gamma_{k(p-1)}(G)\leq\gamma_r(G)^{p^s}\) for some \(r, s\) such that \(k(p-1)<r+s(p-1)\), then the exponent of \(\Omega_i(G)\) is at most \(p^{i+k-1}\) for all \(i\). In particular, \(\exp(\Omega_i(G))\leq p^{i+k-1}\) if \(\gamma_{k(p-1)}(G)\leq G^{p^k}\). In order to prove this result the authors introduce the new concept of potent filtration of a pro-\(p\)-group \(G\), which is a central series \(\{N_i\}_{i\in\mathbb{N}}\) of subgroups with trivial intersection and with the property \([N_i,G,\overset{p-1}\dots,G]\leq N_{i+1}^p\).