Computational Algebra Seminar: Wilson -- A simple construction of the large Ree Groups

Speaker: Robert A. Wilson (Queen Mary)
Title: A simple construction of the large Ree groups
Time & Place: 3-4pm, Thursday 4 June, Carslaw 535

Abstract:
I shall describe a family of 26-dimensional `algebras’
whose automorphism groups are the large Ree groups
${}^2F_4(2^{2n+1})$. These algebras can be defined
without reference to the usual underlying Lie theory,
and can be used to give an elementary definition of
the generalised octagon, and thereby compute the group
orders and prove simplicity (for n>0).