On the nonabelian tensor square and capability of groups of order \(p^2q\). (Q651387)

The nonabelian tensor square \(G\otimes G\) of a group \(G\) is the group generated by the symbols \(g\otimes h\) subject to the relations \[ gg'\otimes h=({^gg'}\otimes{^gh})(g\otimes h)\quad\text{and}\quad g\otimes hh'=(g\otimes h)({^hg}\otimes{^hh'}) \] for all \(g,g',h,h'\in G\), where \(^gg'=gg'g^{-1}\). Further, the exterior square \(G\wedge G\) of \(G\) is obtained from \(G\otimes G\) by imposing the additional relations \(g\otimes g=1_{\otimes}\) for all \(g\in G\), where \(1_{\otimes}\) is the identity of \(G\otimes G\). If \(1_{\wedge}\) is the identity of \(G\wedge G\), then the exterior center is defined as \[ Z^{\wedge}(G)=\{g\in G\mid g\wedge x=1_{\wedge}\text{ for all }x\in G\}. \] The nonabelian tensor square of various groups has been computed in the past. A group \(G\) is said to be capable if \(G\cong H/Z(H)\) for some group \(H\). The capability of \(p\)-groups is closely related to their classification and has been studied for various classes of \(p\)-groups. The relation of nonabelian tensor square with capability is reflected in the result of \textit{G. J. Ellis} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 51, No. 2, 243-258 (1995; Zbl 0829.20073)] which states that, a group \(G\) is capable if and only if \(Z^{\wedge}(G)\) is trivial. Using some results relating the nonabelian tensor square, the exterior square and the Schur multiplicator, the authors compute the nonabelian tensor square of a non-Abelian group \(G\) of order \(p^2q\), where \(p\) and \(q\) are distinct primes. Further, they show that \(G\) is capable if and only if either \(Z(G)=1\) or \(p<q\) and \(G^{ab}=\mathbb Z_p\times\mathbb Z_q\).