scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1111401

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The first two volumes on the classification of finite simple groups provided a detailed survey on the strategy of this project and the basic group theory used in the volumes to follow [No. 1, 1994; Zbl 0816.20016, No. 2, 1996; Zbl 0836.20011]. The assumption of the inductive classification proof is that all simple sections are known, i.e. are K-groups. The aim is to exploit this assumption as much as possible. In this spirit this third volume developes structural properties of quasisimple groups. The general informations obtained here, are however not only the fundament of the classification proof but are of greatest value for any applications of the classification theorem, i.e. for situations where detailed information about the structure of finite simple groups is in need. Much of the material is presented in numerous detailed tables. In this sense this volume is an excellent counterpart to the ATLAS of finite simple groups [\textit{J. W. Conway} et. al., Clarendon Press (1985; Zbl 0568.20001)]. In particular this book is a unique place to find an enormous amount of information about the structure of finite groups of Lie type. The first four chapters of this third volume are devoted to finite groups of Lie type. From the various ways to present these groups the authors choose to consider them in the form \(G_\sigma\), the fixed-points of an endomorphism \(\sigma\) of a semisimple algebraic group \(G\). The objective is to transfer information from the algebraic group to the finite group. Chapter 1 developes the basic theory of semisimple algebraic groups. Topics covered among others are Borel subgroups, parabolic groups, (BN)-pairs, commutator relations, roots, weights, representations, isomorphisms, automorphisms and endomorphisms. This is the only chapter where just a few results are proved (proofs are documented by standard sources). In all other chapters proofs are usually given in full detail. In chapter 2 the transfer from the algebraic groups to the groups of Lie type is discussed. The same topics as in the previous chapter are covered. Moreover the representations in the defining characteristic (Steinberg's twisted tensor product theorem) and presentations of the universal cover (Curtis-Tits theorem) are investigated. Chapter 3 deals with the \(p\)-local structure of finite groups of Lie type (and algebraic groups) where \(p\) is the defining characteristic. The fundamental Borel-Tits theorem on the normalizers of unipotent groups in connected reductive algebraic groups is proved. Then the parabolic subgroups and the Sylow \(p\)-structure are studied. Chapte 4 considers the \(p\)-local structure of finite groups of Lie type where \(p\) is not the defining characteristic. Of course the prime \(p=2\) plays the most important role. Classes and centralizers of semisimple elements are determined. Classes and centralizers of elements which are counterimages of nontrivial outer automorphisms are discussed likewise. In particular centralizers of involutions are treated comprehensively. However centralizers of elements of order \(p=3\) or 5 in the case of exceptional groups of Lie type are also investigated. The section closes with a study of \(p\)-local and Sylow \(p\)-subgroups. The same topics handled in the previous chapters are considered in chapter 5 for the alternating and sporadic groups. Of course the material is covered by most parts by the ATLAS. However all results are proved or documented. Chapter 6 deals with special aspects of K-groups. Schur multipliers and embeddings of quasisimple groups in other quasisimple groups are discussed. Splitting and nonsplitting of involutions when lifted to the covering group is investigated. The action of \(\text{Out}(X)/\text{Inn}(X)\) on \(Z(X)\) for a K-group \(X\) is exhibited. Finally the lists of maximal subgroups for groups of Lie type of small rank are given. Chapter 7 treats general properties of K-groups. It starts with the verification of global properties which were discussed in section 2 of volume 2 of this series (example: Schreier conjecture). Generation properties are studied -- for instance in which cases some variants of the \(k\)-generated \(p\)-core of a K-group are proper subgroups or not. Moreover the cases of failure of \(k\)-balance for K-groups are determined.




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