Another Uniqueness Proof of the Dickson Simple Group G2(3)

Abstract

In this article, we give a self-contained uniqueness proof for the Dickson simple group G=G2(3) using the first author's uniqueness criterion. The uniqueness proof for G2(3) was first given by Janko. His proof depends on Thompson's deep and technical characterization of G2(3). Let H′ be the amalgamated central product of SL 2(3) with itself. Then there is a unique extension H of H′ by a cyclic group of order 2 such that H has a center of order 2 and both factors SL 2(3) are normal in H. We prove that any simple group G having a 2-central involution z with centralizer CG(z)≅ H is isomorphic to G2(3).