Wreath products and fitting classes of C1-groups

Publicacions Matemátiques, Vol 36 (1992), 205-215 . Abstract WREATH PRODUCTS AND FITTING CLASSES OF C 1 -GROUPS J .C . BEIDLEMAN AND M .J . TOMKINSON A Fitting class X of 61 - groups is normal if G r is the unique Xinjector of G, for each G E 61 ; X is abelian normal if GX > G' for each G E 61 . It is a well known result of Blessenohl and Gaschütz that the corresponding concepts coincide for finite soluble groups . Here we consider the wreath product property (wpp) : X satisfies wpp if whenever G E X and p is a prime, there is an integer n such that G' 2 C p E X . An abelian normal Fitting class satisfies wpp but a nonabelian normal Fitting class may not . Embedding theorems related te those of Blessenohl and Gaschiltz show further distinctions between abelian and nonabelian normal Fitting classes . For example, if X is an abelian normal Fitting class, then s-T = 61 ; this is false for nonabelian normal Fitting classes . 1 . Introduction In [1], we introduced the concept of a Fitting class X of fi-groups, for certain subclasses F of 6 1 , the class of soluble groups in which each abelian section has finite total rank . We obtained a sufficient condition for the existente and conjugacy of X-injectors . Menegazzo and Newell [9] proved a form of converse so that we have the following result : Let X be a Fitting class of A-groups . Then every f-group has -T-injectors if and only if, for each G E .lz, there is a normal subgroup M of G such that (i) every Y-subgroup of G containing the X-radical G_T is contained in M and (ii) M/G t is finite . If X is such a .A-Fitting class then the 3f-injectors of G are necessarily conjugate . In [3], [4] it was observed that in all the known examples, the subgroup M above can be chosen to be the 2j-radical of G for some normal .AFitting class 1-j . A A-Fitting class 2,) is normal if G-T is the unique 2j-injector of G for each G E A . We say that 2j is an abelian normal .A-Fítting class if G,_,j > G', for each G E A . It is a well known result of 206  J.C . BEIDLEMAN, M .J . TOMKINSON Blessenohl and Gaschütz [5] that for finite soluble groups every normal Fitting class is abelian normal . This is not the case for 61-Fitting classes . One of the most important constructions used in the finite case for investigating normal Fitting classes is the wreath product and our aim here is to see how this can be used in the infinite case, where it is seen to be of most value in considering abelian normal Fitting classes and shows further distinctions between the abelian and nonabelian normal Fitting classes . We say that a A-Fitting class X satisfies the wreath product property if, whenever G E X and p is a prime, there is a positive integer n= n(G, p) such that Gn 1 C r E 3E, where Gn denotes the direct product of n copies of G . Fitting classes of finite soluble groups with the wreath product property were first studied by Makan [8] . He showed that such classes are normal (and hence abelian normal by Satz 5 .3 of [5]) . Hauck [7] also investigated Fitting classes of finite soluble groups which satisfied certain properties of wreath products . The wreath product property seems to highlight some of the important features of the proofs of our results and also illustrates more clearly the methods we are using here . Our first result (Lemma 3 .1) shows that an abelian normal A-Fitting class satisfies the wreath product property . This result was one of the steps in the proof by Blessenohl and Gaschütz [5] that a normal Fitting class of finite soluble groups is abelian normal . Their proof can be extended to normal Fitting classes of Cernikov groups (Theorem 3 .6) . However, examples show that this result does not hold for normal AFitting classes if the class F contains nonperiodic groups even if G/G .T is always finite or if .A consists of abelian-by-finite groups . The final section is devoted to . embedding theorems related to further results of Blessenohl and Gaschütz [5] . We show in Theorem 4 .2 that if X is an abelian normal A-Fitting class then Of = l . This result fails for nonabelian normal Fitting classes ; for example, we saw in [3] that the class of Cernikov-by-nilpotent groups is an s-closed Fitting class of 651-groups . The second embedding theorem of Blessenohl and Gaschütz [5] considered here is the embedding of finite soluble groups in G/G~ if X is a non-normal Fitting class of finite soluble groups . The results in the infinite case are rather more complicated as there are obviously many A-Fitting classes such that F-groups can not be embedded in G/G X . There are A-Fitting classes X such that G/G~ is always finite and, for any X which contains all hypercentral A-groups, G/G .T is finitely generated abelian-by-finite [1, Theorem 3 .1] . Because of this we prove two FITTING CLASSESOr 6 1 - GRouPS  207 results here . Theorem 4 .5 asserts that if X is a A-Fitting class which is not abelian normal and if H is a finite soluble group then there is a A-group G such that H is isomorphic to a subgroup of G/G~ . Our second embedding result (Theorem 4 .6) requires the assumption that there is a fi-group L such that L/L .T is infinite nonabelian and some further fairly weak technical restrictions but then asserts that if H is a finitely generated abelian-by-finite group then there is a F-group G such that H is isomorphic to a subgroup of G/G x . The proof of Theorem 4 .5 is close to that for the finite case, again making considerable use of wreath products . These results can be interpreted as saying that abelian normal .A-Fitting classes are large (sx = .A) whereas any other Fitting class is rather small since all finite soluble groups can appcar above the X-radical . This provides a further illustration of the diff'erence between abelian and nonabelian normal Fitting classes . These results also indicate some of the limitations of the wreath product in investigating nonabelian normal Fitting classes . 2 . Notation An C1-group is a group with a finite normal series whose factors are abelian groups of finite rank and .whose torsion subgroups are Cernikov groups [9, Part 2, p . 137] . The following subclasses of C1 will be referred to here . -f), the class of locally nilpotent (or hypercentral) C1-groups '7 t, the class of nilpotent C1-groups 31, the class of finite soluble groups 11, the class of soluble Cernikov groups (or extremal groups) 13, the class of polycyclic groups 931, the class of soluble minimax groups X -T = {G E 61 : G/GT E 9 _)}, where X and 1 -9 are C1-Fitting classes (-' : S7 i, the class of all Cernikov-by-nilpotent C1-groups . Throughout, A denotes an {s, Do}-closed subclass of 6 1 which is closed under finite soluble extensions . Examples of such A include 1, <_', 43, 9n and 6 1 itself . Also the classes of abelian-by-finite groups in any of these classes can also be taken for A . A F-Fitting class :X is a subclass of Jt which is closed under ascendant subgroups and such that every .A-group which is a join of ascendant 3E-subgroups is an X-group . Let p be a prime, two of the less obvious 20 8  J .C . BEIDLGMAN, M .J . TOMKINSON examples described in [1] that will be referred to are Q :(p) = {G E CH I : Soc,(G) < Z(G)} ~(p) = {G E 13 : G/CG(O,(G)) is a p-group} . We recall that a A-Fitting class X is called a Lockett class provided that X* = X . Properties of Lockett classes and the Lockett *-construction are given in detail in [2] . If :X is a .A-Fitting class the Lockett section of 9E consists of all A-Fitting classes SD such that Qj* = X* . This is denoted by Locksec(X) . 3 . Wreath Product Property Our first two results provide examples of certain types of Fitting class with the wreath Product property . Lemma 3 .1 . Let :X be an abelian normal .A-Fitting class . Then satisfies the wreath Product, property . Proof : Let G E :3E and let p be aprime . Let q be a prime distinct from p and let M be a faithful irreducible Z,C, r -module . Let Y= MC Q be the sernidirect Product of M by C,, ; then Y' = M . Let W = G t Y and let B be the base group . Since A is closed under finite direct products and finito extensioris, W is a A-group . Also B E X and so W-e >_ B . Since X is abelian normal, W-c _> BY' and so BY' E X . Let C be a subgroup of M of order p . Then C a M and so BC a BY' and BC E X . But BC =G' 2 C Y , where n = IY : CI . Therefore, :X satisfies the wreath Product property . Lemma 3 .2 . Let, :X be a, normal L-Fitting class . Let, G E X, let p be a prime and Z a cyelic group of order p . Then there is a positive integer m = m(G, p) such that G` 1 Z E X for all positivo integers n . In particular, :X satisfies the wreath Product property . Proof : Assume that the lemma is falso . Since we are only considering Cernikov groups wc can choose a counterexample (G, p) such that G is minimal ; that is, the lemma holds f'or all proper subgroups of G . By Lemma 3 .1 of [4], :X contains all hypercentral (_ 11 -groups . In particular Z E Y and so G :~ 1 . Thus G has a proper normal subgroup Gl such that G/GI is a q-group for some prime q . If q 7~ p, let Y be the group constructed in Lernma 3 .1 with unique mininral normal subgroup M of order p' . If q = p, lt Y = C q . In either case, let ZI be a subgroup of Y of order q . FITTING CLASSFS OF 6r-GROUPS  209 Since G1 < G, there is an integer mr such that Gi " ? Zr E X, for all positive integers n . Now for an arbitrary positive integer n, consider W = Gnm1 ?Y . Let D = ( G" -1 ) Y be the base group of W and let D I = (G1 n ` 1 ) Y < D . As in the proof of Lemma 5 .1 by Blessenohl and Gaschütz [5], D1 Z1 = G" P" l ZI E X and DZr/DI is a q-group . Therefore DI Z, is an ascendant subgroup of DZr and so DIZ1 <_ (DZr),x . But D is a normal .3C-subgroup of DZ, and so (DZi) .r >_ DDIZr= DZr ; that is, DZ, E X . If q = p, then Gn,l 1 Z -DZ, E :X and we can take m =ml . Suppose therefore that q 7~ p . In this case WT >_ D and W .r is a maximal _Xsubgroup of W . But D is properly contained in the 3E-subgroup DZr . Therefore D < W .T . Since W/D has a unique minimal normal subgroup DM/D, we have DM <_ Wr . There is a subgroup Z of M having order p and DZ < DM < Wr so that DZ E :X . But DZ -G n,, j , " - 1 `r t Z, Since ¡Y : Zi = p<" - 'q, and we can take m = rnrf a_I q . This completes the proof . The next result, which generalizes a result of J . Cossey [6, Lemma 2 .2], fndicates how radicals of Lockett classes behave in wreath products . Lemma 3 .3 .  Let 3E be a A-Lockett class and let G E .q \ :C . If H is a finite soluble group and n a positive integer, then (G n 1H) .r =B .- e , where B is the base group of Gn t H . Proof .. Let W =Gn t H ; then the base group of W is B =Gn u `, where h = CHI . By Theorem 2 .9 of [2], B .r = (G~),h . Note that W/B .r _~- (G/G .r) n t H and, under this isornorphism, B/B .T corresponda to the base group . Therefore, the centralizer of B/B .r in W/B_T is contained in B/B .r . But [W-e, B] _< Wr n B = B .r and so Wt centralizes B/Br . Therefore W .r <B and so WT = B . -e, as required . Theorem 3 .4 . Let 3f be a .Ct-Lockett, class satisfging tire wreath product propertY . (i) If 2j E Locksec(X ), then 1 -9 satisfies the ivreath product propertg . (ii) 3C,~ = X (see Satz 4 .1 of [7]) . Proof .- (i) This f'ollows in exactly the same way as the result is established for ~-Lockett classes in Lemma 5 .6 of [7] . (ii) Suppose that :X~ =,¿ :Y and let G E )El \ .X . Then G/Gx is a finite soluble group and hence contains a subnormal subgroup H/G .r of prime order p . Thus H .T =Gz and H/H .T = CP . By hypothesis, there is a positive integer n such that (H .T)n l C P E :X . Let W = Hn t C P and let B = H'P be the base group of W . B,y Lemrna 21 0  J .C . BI-1IDLGMAN, M .J . TOMKINSON 3 .3, WT = B .T . But W/B_r is a finite p-group and so (H .T) n 2 C P sn W contrary to W-f = Bar = (Hx)'''r . We now consider the converse of Lemma 3 .1 ; when is a Fitting class with the wreath product property an abelian normal Fitting class? Lemma 3 .5 . Let ft C_ 5)1 and let X be a q-Fitting class such that _D sí f1 .Ft . If :X satisfies the wreath product property then X is an abelian normal h-Fitting class . Proof .. We show that X* = F and then it follows from Theorem 2 .1 of [4] that X is abelian normal . Suppose then that X* :~ .IZ and let G E fi \ X* . Then G/G x . contains a subnormal subgroup H/G x . which is cyclic of prime order p . Note Hy . = Gr .. By Theorem 2 .3(d) of [2], H .T . /Hz is central in H and so H/HT is a finite nilpotent group . Let P/H be the Sylow p-group of H/H . T . Then P/P .r . =C P and P/Px is a finite p-group . Since X satisfies the wreath product property, there is a positive integer n such that (PT) n 2 C,, E X . Let W = Pn 1 C P and note that W/(Pz) - P is a p-group . Thus (PT)' 1 C P sn W and so (P :r) n 1 C P < Wr <_ Wr . . By Lemma 3 .3, WT . = (P .r .)'P, which is a contradiction . Hence X* = Ft, as required . It should be noted that the conditions on X and A in Lemma 3 .5 are necessary . Firstly, it is possible to have a Fitting class :X satisfying the wreath product property but not containing all hypercentral Ft-groups and in this case -T need not be a normal Fitting class . For example, we could take X _  and q = ñ ~ . If we omit the condition that .rl C SI then we can not say that H/H .r is finite and there will be no similar results . For example, let .A = T and :X = M ~- . Then X is s-closed and so is even a Lockett class . If G E M ~, then G i C P E qT ~ and so '7t satisfies the wreath product property . But 911 is not anormal %1-Fitting class . The following theorem shows that a normal (-"-Fitting class is abelian normal . This generalizes Satz 5 .3 of [5] . Note also that it generalizes Theorem 3 .2 of [7] . Theorem 3 .6 . Let, Y be an T-Fitting class . Then the following are equivalent : (a) Y is a normal, (r- - -Fitting class . (b) :X satisfies the wreath product property . (c) X is an abelian normal VE 1 -Fitting class . Proof .. (a) implies (b) is Lemma 3 .2 . (b) implies (c) follows from Lemma 3 .5 since (r_C si 1 and any Fitting class X which satisfies the FITTING CLASSEES or 61-GROUPS  211 wreath product property contains all cyclic groups of prime order and so contains all hypercentral (- 11 -groups . It is clear that (c) implies (a) . One might expect that Theorem 3 .6 would extend to further classes .F or perhaps hold with finiteness conditions on G/Gx . However, if we take A to be the class of abelian-by-finite polycyclic groups then X= (EM n .A is a normal F-Fitting class by the main theorem of [3] and G/G X is finite for each G E A . But G = C, > . 1 S3 has Gi~,n = Gol and G/G+n = S3 is nonabelian . 4 . Embedding theorems This section is devoted to obtaining appropriate generalizations of Satz 5 .3 and Satz 6 .3 of [5] for Fitting classes of 61-groups . The following simple lemma will be useful in dealing with infinite cyclic factors . Lemma 4 .1 . Let the group G be an extension of the group H by ara infinite cyclic group (x) . If K = (H x H)((x,x-1)) < G x G, then G is isomorphic to a subgroup of K . Proof .. The mapping 0 : G - K defined by (hxn» = (hx',x- ") is a monomorphism . Theorem 4 .2 . If :X is an abelian normal fi-Fitting class then s :X = .ñ . Proof . Let G E .A ; then G/G-T is abelian . By Lemma 3 .1 of [4], sj n .13 C X and so G/G~ is finitely generated [1, Theorem 3 .1] . We prove by induction on the torsion-free rank r of G/G~ that G E sX . Case 1 . r = 0 . In this case G contains an s :X-subgroup L = G x of finite index and we use induction on ¡GIL¡ . Since GIL is finite abelian it has a maximal normal subgroup MIL such that G/M is cyclic of prime order p . By induction, M E sX and so there is an X-group X and a subgroup Xo of X such that Xo - M . Now G is isomorphic to a subgroup G o of X o t C p . By Lemma 3 .1 there is a posítive integer n such that X' 1 C p E :X . Therefore G= Go < Xo t C p < X t C p < X' i C p and so G E s-X . Case 2 . r > 1 . In this case G has a normal subgroup A such that G/A is infinite cyclic and A/G .t has torsion-free rank r - 1 . Let T = (t) be a cyclic group of order 2 and let the wreath product W = G 2 T have base group B=G x G . Let G = A (x) and consider K = (A x A) ((x, x -1 ), t) <_ W . Then K3c > (G~ x G-T)K' . But, for each a E A, K' contains the 21 2  J .C . BEIDLEMAN, M .J . TOMKINSON element (a, a -1 ) = [(1, a), t] .  Also K' contains (x, x-1)2 = [( x -1 , x), t] and so K/K .r has torsion-free rank r - 1 . By induction, K E sX . By Lemma 4 .1, G is isomorphic to a subgroup of (Ax A) ((x, x1)) <_ K and so GEsX . The following two lemmas, which are used to establish Theorems 4 .5 and 4 .6, are generalizations of Lemmms 5 .2 and 5 .3 of [5] . The proofs of these results are the same as in [5] and hence are omitted . Lemma 4 .3 . Let X be a R-Fitting class and let G E .A . Let G = N1N2 . . . N, ., where N i < G, 1 < i < r . Then GX/11(Ni) .t is contained i=r T in the centre of G/fl(Ni) .T . i=r Lemma 4 .4 . Let X and Y be groups and let G = X Z Y . Let N be an abelian normal subgroup of G which is contained in the base group B of G . If Cc(B/N) is not contained in B, then X is abelian . Theorem 4 .5 . Let -Y be a A-Fitting class which is not abelian normal . If H E ~, then there is a fi -group G such that H is isomorphic to a subgroup of G/Gy . Proof . Since X is not an abelian normal Fitting class, there is a group L E 1i such that L/L_Y is nonabelian . Let H E ~ and let G= L 1 H . Let B be the base group of G so that B= L', where m = CHI . Then B,r < G .T and Bz/(Lx)' is abelian, by Lermna 4 .3 . Suppose that G  is not contained in 13 and let W = (L/L_r)1 H ; then Bt/(L .r)- is an abelian normal subgroup of W . Since [Gr, B] < G x n B = Br, it follows that G .r/(L~) - centralizes (L/L )~°/(B /(L )~`) . It follows from Lernma 4 .4 that L/L .y is abelian, contrary to our choice of L . Therefore, G :r < B and so G/G :r > HG_r/G .T -- H . Let =X be any one of the following 651-Fitting classes : SI, 5) 2 , L 9Z, ~(p) or 5`) J (p) . Then :X is not abelian normal, and Theorem 4 .5 shows that if H is a finite soluble group then there is an 6 1 -group G such that G/G_ T contains a subgroup isomorphic to H . It should be noted that this result applies to nonabelian normal Fitting classes (e .g .  C, T) .  If X is one of the classes f1 2 , Q :(p) or s) ~ * (p) then G/G  is always a finite soluble group and so there is no possibility of embedding an arbitrary 651-group in G/GV . In order te extend Theorem 4 .5 therefore it is necessary to consider Fitting classes such that G/G .X is not always finite . Most of the A-Fitting classes in which we are interested contain 5) n .A ; this is FITTING CLASSCS O[' 6I-GRouPS  213 the case for normal .A-Fitting classes and, if A_D V, ft is true for all .A-Fitting classes such that every A-group has 3E-injectors . If X_D s) f1 .Fi then G/Gx is finitely generated abelian-by-finite and so we consider an extension of Theorem 4 .5 in which finitely generated abelian-by-finite groups are embedded in G/Gx . Theorem 4 .6 . Let :X be a .A-Fitting class such that r) fl A C_ :X and there is a A-group L such that L/Li is infinite nonabelian (in particular, X is not an abelian normal Fitting class) . Suppose also that X satisfies one of the two conditions : (a) X* = 3E ; (b) there is a .R-group T such that T/T_r is infinite nonabelian and has finite centre . If H is a polycyclic abelian-hy-finite group, then there is a group G E .A such that H is isomorphic to a subgroup of G1G_r . Proof :: The polycyclic abelian-by-finite group H contains a free abelian normal subgroup M of finite rank r, say, such that H/M is finite . We will show first that there is a A-group B such that B/Bx is nonabelian and B/Bx has a free abelian normal subgroup of rank at least r . Let L be a .F-group such that L/LX is infinite and nonabelian ; then by Theorem 3 .1 of [1], L/Lx has a free abelian normal subgroup of rank s, say . Choose a positive integer m such that ms> r and let B = Ln` . If X satisfies condition (a) :X* = :X, then Bx = (L,,) n ` [2, Theorerri 2 .9] and so B/Bx has a free abelian normal subgroup of rank ms >_ r . Also B/Bx is nonabelian . So suppose that X satisfies condition (b) ; then we may suppose that L/Lx has finite centre . Therefore Z(B/(L .X)n`) (Z(L/Lx))' is also finite . B,y Lemma 4 .3, Bx/(L .T)n` < Z(B/(Lx)`) and so Bt/(L .r) m is finite . Now B/(Lx)' has a free abelian normal subgroup A/(Lx)' of rank ms > r . Since B .r/(Lx) n ` is finite, A/(Lx)r" -- ABx/Bx and so ABx/Bx is a free abelian normal subgroup of B/Bx of rank at least r . Also, Since L/Lx is nonabelian, B/B .T must be nonabelian . Therefore, using either (a) or (b), we have shown that there is a Agroup B such that B/B .T is rionabelian and has a free abelian normal subgroup A/B r of rank at least r . Now let F = H/M have order n and let G=B 1 F .  As in the proof of Theorem 4 .5 we have (B_T)" <_ Gx <_ B n, the base group of G . Thus Gx = (B n )x . In case (a), (Bt) n = (B n )x = Gx while in case (b), the same argument as for Bx/(L_T)' shows that (B n)x/(B .T)n is finite . Now A n /(B :Y) n is a free abelian normal subgroup of G/(B x )n