2-signalizers in almost simple groups. (Q975098)

\(q\)-signalizers (where \(q\) is prime) were originally introduced by John Thompson to denote a \(q'\)-subgroup normalized by a Sylow \(q\)-subgroup. Determining the possible structures for \(q\)-signalizers plays an important role in the second generation proof of the classification of the finite simple groups [\textit{D. Gorenstein}, \textit{R. Lyons} and \textit{R. Solomon}, The classification of the finite simple groups. Math. Surveys and Monographs. Providence: AMS, 40.1 (1994; Zbl 0816.20016), 40.2 (1996; Zbl 0836.20011), 40.3 (1998; Zbl 0890.20012), 40.4 (1999; Zbl 0922.20021), 40.5 (2002; Zbl 1006.20012), 40.6 (2005; Zbl 1069.20011)], and it turns out that the specific cases \(q=2\) and \(q=3\) are especially important. \(3\)-signalizers were studied by the author in a previous work [\textit{I. Korchagina}, in Finite groups 2003. Proceedings of the Gainesville conference on finite groups, Gainesville, 2003. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. 229-246 (2004; Zbl 1095.20004)], and this paper deals with \(2\)-signalizers. More precisely, if \(G\) is a finite group, \(t\) is an automorphism of \(G\) of order \(2\) and \(p\) is an odd prime, then a \(p\)-subgroup \(X\) of \(G\) is called a `\(C_G(t)\)-signalizer' if \([X,t]=X\) and \(C_G(t)\leq N_G(X)\). The main result of this paper is a description of \(C_G(t)\)-signalizers in the known non-sporadic finite simple groups. The proof of this theorem is achieved via careful investigation of the known non-sporadic finite simple groups. The main subdivision is between alternating groups, groups of Lie type in odd characteristic, and groups of Lie type in characteristic \(2\).