Let V_* be the normalized unitary subgroup of the modular group algebra FG of a finite p-group G over a finite field F with the classical involution *. We investigate the isomorphism problem for the group V_*, that asks when the group V_* is determined by its group algebra FG. We confirm it for classes of finite abelian p-groups, 2-groups of maximal class and non-abelian 2-groups of order at most 16.
Let V(KG) be a normalised unit group of the modular group algebra of a finite p-group G over the field K of p elements. We introduce a notion of symmetric subgroups in V(KG) as subgroups invariant under the action of the classical involution of the group algebra KG. We study properties of symmetric subgroups and construct a counterexample to the conjecture by V.Bovdi, which states that V(KG)=<G,S*>, where S* is a set of symmetric units of V(KG).
Let p be a prime, K a field of characteristic p, G a locally finite p-group, KG the group algebra, and V the group of the units of KG with augmentation 1. The anti-automorphism gmapsto g^{-1} of G extends linearly to KG; this extension leaves V setwise invariant, and its restriction to V followed by vmapsto v^{-1} lives an automorphism of V. The elements of V fixed by this automorphism are called unitary; they form a subgroup. Our first theorem describes the K and G for which this subgroup is normal in V. For each element g in G, let bar{g} denote the sum (in KG) of the distinct powers of g. The elements 1+(g-1)hbar{g} with g,hin G are the bicyclic units of KG. Our second theorem describes the K and G for which all bicyclic units are unitary.
We give a full description of locally finite p-groups G such that the normalized group of units V(FG) of the group algebra FG over a field F of characteristic p has exponent 4.
A p-group is called powerful if every commutator is a product of pth powers when p is odd and a product of fourth powers when p=2. In the group algebra of a group G of p-power order over a finite field of characteristic p, the group of normalized units is always a p-group. We prove that it is never powerful except, of course, when G is abelian.
It is known that the recently discovered representations of the Artin groups of type A_n, the braid groups, can be constructed via BMW algebras. We introduce similar algebras of type D_n and E_n which also lead to the newly found faithful representations of the Artin groups of the corresponding types. We establish finite dimensionality of these algebras. Moreover, they have ideals I_1 and I_2 with I_2 contained in I_1 such that the quotient with respect to I_1 is the Hecke algebra and I_1/I_2 is a module for the corresponding Artin group generalizing the Lawrence-Krammer representation. Finally we give conjectures on the structure, the dimension and parabolic subalgebras of the BMW algebra, as well as on a generalization of deformations to Brauer algebras for simply laced spherical type other than A_n.