Codex @codex  0

For a block of a group algebra with identity $e$ and defect group of a block $D$, the trace criterion for defect groups writes $e={\mathrm{Tr}}_D^G(a)$ with $a\in (RG{)}^D$. On any module in the block, multiplication by $a$ is $D$-linear and its relative trace is the identity. The D. Higman criterion therefore makes the module relatively $D$-projective.

Nagao module theorem states that if $e\in Z(kG)$ is a central idempotent, $eM=M$, and $C_G(Q)\le K\le N_G(Q)$, then ${\mathrm{Br}}_Q(e)$ is central in $kK$ andEvery indecomposable summand of the second term is relatively projective for some subgroup of $K$ not containing $Q$. In particular, if $Q\le K$, the error term has no summand with module vertex containing $Q$. This is the Nagao version of the second main theorem; it identifies the modular block of a module vertex-$Q$ Green correspondent.

Let $e_B$ be the identity of $B$, $N=N_G(D)$, and $b$ its Brauer correspondent of a block in $kN$. Because $D◃N$, the ideal $J(kD)kN$ is nilpotent: normality allows moving $kN$ past $J(kD)$ and the augmentation ideal of the p-group is nilpotent. Hence $b$ has nonzero image in $k(N/D)$. Choose an indecomposable summand $U$ of $bk[N/D]$. It is projective over $k(N/D)$ and belongs to modular block $b$ after inflation.

Since $k[N/D]={\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{N}k$ is a permutation module, its summand $U$ has trivial module source and module vertex contained in $D$. As $D$ acts trivially, all its proper-subgroup traces vanish and its Brauer quotient of a module is $U(D)=U\ne 0$. The module vertex must also contain $D$, so it is exactly $D$. This is inflated quotient projectives have trivial source.

Let $M$ be the Green correspondent of $U$ in $G$, using the theorem proved in the next solution. It has module vertex $D$ and the same trivial module source. For a normal p-subgroup, each central block idempotent of $kN$ equals its Brauer image: the two central idempotents agree modulo the nilpotent ideal $J(kD)kN$, because nonfixed conjugation-orbit sums map to zero in $k(N/D)$; central idempotents congruent modulo a nilpotent ideal coincide. The first main theorem therefore gives ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_B)={\mathrm{Br}}_D(b)=b$.

Let $e_C$ be the block identity acting on $M$. Nagao's theorem forces ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_C)U=U$, since $U$ has module vertex $D$. But $bU=U$, and for $C\ne B$ orthogonality would give ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_C)b={\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_C{e}_B)=0$. Therefore $M$ belongs to $B$, has module vertex $D$ and has trivial module source. For $D=1$, this supplies an indecomposable projective in the defect-zero modular block.

For the representation-type deduction, modules in a block are projective relative to its defect group: the block trace identity acts as a relative trace equal to the module identity, so D. Higman criterion gives split induction from $D$. If $D$ is cyclic of order $d$, then $kD\cong k[t]/(t^d)$, whose indecomposable modules are the nilpotent Jordan chains $k[t]/(t^j)$, $1\le j\le d$. Each indecomposable in $B$ is a summand of the module induction of its module restriction to $D$, and hence occurs among the summands of these finitely many fixed induced modules. Their finite Krull-Schmidt decompositions give finite representation type.

Conversely, the regular defect-group bimodule inside a block givesIndeed this module restriction is a permutation summand. Its Brauer quotient at $\Delta D$ is nonzero, because on the fixed group-basis elements $C_G(D)$ the block projection becomes multiplication by ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_B)\ne 0$. Every transitive $D\times D$ orbit in $G$ has stabilizer of order at most $|D|$. A summand with a nonzero quotient at $\Delta D$ must therefore have stabilizer exactly $\Delta D$ up to conjugacy, and is the regular $kD$ bimodule. Tensoring this split inclusion on the right with an arbitrary $kD$-module $V$ yieldsIf $B$ has only finitely many indecomposable modules, their restrictions contain only finitely many indecomposable summands. The displayed inclusion puts every indecomposable $V$ on that finite list, so $kD$ has finite representation type too.

A noncyclic finite p-group has a quotient $C_p\times C_p$, by the Burnside basis theorem for its Frattini quotient. Here is an explicit infinite family over any field, including a finite field. For $s\ge 1$, take basis $v_0,\dots ,v_s,w_1,\dots ,w_s$ and operators $x=g-1$, $y=h-1$ defined byand $x{w}_i=y{w}_i=0$. All products of $x,y$ vanish, so $1+x,1+y$ satisfy the group relations in characteristic $p$. The radical is $W=⟨w_1,\dots ,w_s⟩$. An endomorphism preserves $W$, and commuting with the two shift maps forces its induced maps on $V/W$ and $W$ to be the same scalar. To see this, write the shift matrices as $X=(0I_s)$ and $Y=(I_{s}0)$: the equations $CX=XA$, $CY=YA$ force the off-diagonal entries of $A,C$ to vanish and all diagonal entries to agree, by comparing successive rows, including the zero first column of $X$ and zero last column of $Y$. The remaining linear map sends the top into $W$ and has square zero. Thus the endomorphism ring is a scalar algebra with square-zero radical, hence local; the module is indecomposable. Inflation to $D$ preserves that ring. Its dimensions $2s+1$ are unbounded, contradicting finite representation type. Therefore $B$ has finite representation type if and only if $D$ is cyclic, including trivial defect.

Throughout, modules are finite-dimensional over $k$, or finitely generated $\mathcal{O}$-free lattices when the coefficient ring is $\mathcal{O}$. The p-modular system has a complete discrete valuation ring $\mathcal{O}$, maximal ideal $(\pi )$, fraction field $K$ of characteristic zero and residue field $k$ of characteristic $p$.

A block of a group algebra is a nonzero, indecomposable two-sided ideal direct summand of $A=RG$. Equivalently it is $Ae$ for a primitive central idempotent $e$. To see the equivalence, suppose $A=B\oplus C$ as two-sided ideals and write $1=e+f$ with $e\in B$, $f\in C$. Products between $B$ and $C$ vanish because they lie in their zero intersection. Thus $e$ is the identity on $B$, zero on $C$, and is a central idempotent, with $B=Ae$. Conversely $A=Ae\oplus A(1-e)$. Splitting $Ae$ further is equivalent to splitting $e$ into orthogonal nonzero central idempotents; indecomposability is exactly primitivity. If $1=\sum e_i$ is the block decomposition, $M=⨁e_{i}M$. A nonzero indecomposable module therefore belongs to exactly one block of a group algebra, namely the one with $e_{i}M=M$.

For modular reduction of block idempotents, the conjugacy class sums are an $R$-basis of $Z(RG)$. Hence $Z(\mathcal{O}G)/\pi Z(\mathcal{O}G)\cong Z(kG)$. In the complete commutative algebra $Z(\mathcal{O}G)$, idempotent lifting gives a unique lift of each idempotent of $Z(kG)$; uniqueness follows because commuting idempotents congruent modulo the Jacobson radical are equal. Orthogonal decompositions lift too, so primitivity is preserved. Reduction gives a bijection between the integral and modular blocks.

Here is a definition of defect groups of a block which also proves the required relative-projectivity assertion. Give $RG$ its conjugation action and, for $H\le G$, define the relative trace and its transfer ideal of conjugation-fixed elements byA defect group of a block $RGe$ is a $p$-subgroup $D$ minimal with $e\in I_D$. Such a subgroup exists: for a Sylow subgroup $P$, $[G:P]$ is a unit in $R$ and $e={\mathrm{Tr}}_P^G(e/[G:P])$. The defect of a block is $d$ where $|D|=p^d$.

For completeness, this definition is independent of a choice up to conjugacy. Multiplying two relative traces and grouping the pairs of cosets by double cosets givesThis identity follows by writing each pair of cosets as a simultaneous $G$-orbit; its stabilizer is $D\cap {}^{g}E$, and its contribution is a trace from that stabilizer. If $D,E$ are both minimal for $e$, then $e=e^2$ belongs to the displayed sum. The commutative block center $eZ(RG)$ is a local ring: in the field case it is a commutative Artinian ring with no nontrivial idempotents; in the integral case its reduction has this property and completeness detects units. A sum of proper ideals cannot contain its identity. Consequently $e\in I_{D\cap {}^{g}E}$ for some $g$, forcing $D={}^{g}E$ by minimality. The same argument with an arbitrary $E$ shows that $e\in I_E$ precisely when $E$ contains a conjugate of $D$. This is the trace criterion for defect groups.

To relate this to the usual modular definition, the Brauer morphism deletes the coefficients outside the centralizer:It is an algebra homomorphism: in the coefficient of an element centralizing $P$ in a product, $P$ acts on the contributing pairs; nonfixed orbits have size divisible by $p$, while fixed pairs have both entries in $C_G(P)$. Its kernel is the sum of proper-subgroup transfers, because the nonfixed conjugation orbit sums form a basis of that kernel. If $D$ is minimal for $e={\mathrm{Tr}}_D^G(a)$ and ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e)=0$, replace $a$ by $ea$. The kernel description gives $e\in {\sum }_{Q<D}{I}_Q$, contradicting the local-center argument. Also ${\mathrm{Br}}_P(I_D)=0$ unless $P$ is conjugate into $D$: group the cosets of $G/D$ into $P$-orbits, which have no fixed point otherwise. Thus the minimal transfer subgroups are exactly the maximal $p$-subgroups with nonzero Brauer morphism of $e$.

Now take $M=eM$ and write $e={\mathrm{Tr}}_D^G(a)$. Multiplication by $a$ is a $D$-linear endomorphism $\alpha$ of $M$, andHere is the splitting behind the D. Higman criterion. The natural map $\epsilon :RG{\otimes }_{RD}M\to M$, $g\otimes m\mapsto gm$, has a $G$-linear sectionChanging a representative by an element of $D$ leaves this tensor unchanged, $G$ permutes the terms, and $\epsilon s={\mathrm{id}}_M$. HenceThis is relative projectivity for $D$, proving the Green relative projectivity theorem; indecomposability was needed only to speak of a single block of a group algebra or vertex of an indecomposable module.

Finally let $\hat{e}$ lift $e$. A trace expression for $\hat{e}$ reduces to one for $e$, so a modular defect group of a block is contained, up to conjugacy, in an integral one. Conversely choose a modular defect group $D$ and $a\in (kG{)}^D$ with $e={\mathrm{Tr}}_D^G(a)$. Conjugation orbit sums lift $a$ to $\hat{a}\in (\mathcal{O}G{)}^D$. The elementreduces to its block identity, hence is a unit in that block center. Its inverse there is central, soThe integral defect is therefore contained in the modular one. The corresponding blocks have the same conjugacy class of defect groups and the same defect.

The block statement is Green correspondence for blocks: if $N_G(D)\le H\le G$, blocks of $RG$ and $RH$ with defect group $D$ correspond, and their block bimodules are Green correspondents for the diagonal vertex $\Delta D$. We prove the module correspondence underlying this statement, then specialize it to the block bimodules. This also gives the requested direct proof in the trivial-intersection situation.

Here are the elementary ingredients, including their proofs. Mackey decomposition is obtained by partitioning the tensor basis of $RG{\otimes }_{RL}U$ by the double cosets $H\backslash G/L$; the term for $g$ is induction from $H\cap {}^{g}L$ of the suitably conjugated restriction of $U$. The D. Higman criterion follows from the section constructed in Question 1. Conversely, take a splitting of the induction counit and its coefficient at the identity coset: equivariance reconstructs the section from that $H$-linear coefficient, and the splitting identity is exactly that its relative trace is $1$. Thus the trace criterion is an equivalence.

An indecomposable module here has a local endomorphism ring. Over $k$ this follows from the Fitting lemma: an endomorphism eventually splits its kernel from its image, and indecomposability makes it invertible or nilpotent. Over $\mathcal{O}$, the endomorphism ring is finite over a complete discrete valuation ring; lift orthogonal idempotents from its finite-dimensional residue algebra to see that an indecomposable lattice has a local endomorphism ring too. The Krull–Schmidt theorem follows by the usual exchange argument: composing the inclusion and projection of one indecomposable summand across a second decomposition writes its identity as a sum of endomorphisms; one is a unit in the local endomorphism ring and pairs that summand with a summand of the second decomposition. Remove the pair and continue. Existence follows by successively splitting nontrivial idempotents, which decreases dimension or rank.

A vertex of an indecomposable module is a subgroup minimal for relative projectivity. It can be taken to be a $p$-subgroup because averaging over the index of a Sylow subgroup of any candidate subgroup is invertible. If an indecomposable module is relatively projective for $P$ and $Q$, the Mackey decomposition and its induction splittings make it a summand of a sum of modules induced from $P\cap {}^{g}Q$. In its local endomorphism ring one splitting component must be invertible, so it is relatively projective for one of these intersections. This proves conjugacy of minimal vertices and the useful criterion that a module with vertex $P$ can be relatively projective for $Q$ only when $P$ is conjugate into $Q$. A source of an indecomposable module with vertex $P$ is an indecomposable summand $S$ of its restriction to $P$ from which the original module is an induced summand. Such a summand exists by the induction splitting and Krull–Schmidt theorem; its vertex is $P$, since a proper vertex would make the original module relatively projective for a proper subgroup of $P$.

SetWhen saying a module is $\mathcal{X}$- or $\mathcal{Y}$-projective, allow conjugates in the relevant ambient group and finite sums of modules relatively projective for members of that family. No conjugate of $D$ inside $H$ belongs to $\mathcal{Y}$: if $D\le {}^h(H\cap {}^{g}D)$, equality of orders gives $D={}^{hg}D$, so $hg\in N_G(D)\subseteq H$, contradicting $g\notin H$. Every member of $\mathcal{X}$ is a proper subgroup of $D$.

The two key assertions can now be proved rather than assumed. First, if $W$ is an indecomposable $D$-projective $RH$-module, thenChoose $U$ with $W\mid {\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{H}U$. Mackey decomposition gives ${\mathrm{Res}}_H^G{\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{G}U={\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{H}U\oplus T$, with $T$ $\mathcal{Y}$-projective. Write ${\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{H}U=W\oplus W^{\prime \prime }$ and apply induction and restriction. Both $\mathrm{Res}\mathrm{Ind}W$ and $\mathrm{Res}\mathrm{Ind}{W}^{\prime \prime }$ contain their original modules, by the identity double coset. Comparing multiplicities of every indecomposable which is not $\mathcal{Y}$-projective, their extra multiplicities are nonnegative and have sum zero. Therefore neither has such an extra summand, proving the assertion.

Second, suppose $W$ has vertex $D$, and choose an indecomposable $V\mid {\mathrm{Ind}}_H^{G}W$ whose restriction contains $W$; such a $V$ exists by the first assertion. Write $\mathrm{Ind}W=V\oplus V^{\prime }$. Its restriction has just one summand isomorphic to $W$ and all other summands are $\mathcal{Y}$-projective, so $\mathrm{Res}{V}^{\prime }$ is $\mathcal{Y}$-projective. Any indecomposable $Z\mid V^{\prime }$ has a vertex $P\le D$ after conjugacy. A source $S$ with vertex $P$ is a summand of ${\mathrm{Res}}_{P}Z$. Restricting a $\mathcal{Y}$-projective decomposition of ${\mathrm{Res}}_{H}Z$ to $P$ and using Mackey decomposition forces $P$ to lie in an $H$-conjugate of some $H\cap {}^{g}D$, $g\notin H$. Since $P\le D$, this puts $P$ in $\mathcal{X}$. Thus $V^{\prime }$ is $\mathcal{X}$-projective. Moreover $V$ has vertex $D$, since it is $D$-projective and its restriction contains $W$ with vertex $D$. We have provedIn particular $V$ is unique.

Conversely, let $V$ be an indecomposable $RG$-module with vertex $D$ and source $S$. Decompose ${\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{H}S$ and choose $W$ whose induction contains $V$. Its vertex is contained in $D$ and cannot be proper, since induction would then make $V$ relatively projective for a smaller subgroup. Thus $W$ has vertex $D$, and the previous assertion makes $V$ its unique vertex-$D$ induced summand. Restriction of an $\mathcal{X}$-projective module is $\mathcal{Y}$-projective: in a Mackey term a conjugating element inside $H$ preserves the containment in an $H$-conjugate of $\mathcal{Y}$, and one outside $H$ gives a subgroup of $H\cap {}^{g}D$. Comparing the two decompositions of $\mathrm{Res}\mathrm{Ind}W$ now givesThese assignments are mutually inverse. To check sources, restrict ${\mathrm{Ind}}_D^{H}S$ back to $D$. Its terms of full vertex are conjugates of $S$ by $N_H(D)$; the other terms are induced from proper intersections. Applying the source criterion and Krull–Schmidt theorem shows that the source of $W$ is one of those conjugates. The same argument in $G$, and the uniqueness just proved, matches the source classes on the two sides. Thus Green correspondence preserves sources up to normalizer conjugacy.

To pass to blocks of a group algebra, regard $RG$ as the permutation module $R[(G\times G)/\Delta G]$. A summand of a permutation module has trivial source. Here is why: over a finite p-group, every transitive permutation module is indecomposable, since its socle is the one-dimensional fixed line and every nonzero module has nonzero fixed points. The latter follows by induction on the group order, using a central element of order $p$ and the nilpotence of its difference from $1$. Over $\mathcal{O}$ indecomposability follows by reduction. Restrict a permutation summand to a vertex $P$ and apply Krull–Schmidt theorem; a source must be a transitive permutation module $R[P/Q]$. Its vertex is contained in $Q$, so minimality forces $Q=P$, and its source is the trivial module.

For a permutation module, its Brauer quotient of a module at $P$ has the fixed permutation points as basis: every nontrivial orbit sum is a proper transfer. An indecomposable trivial-source summand with vertex $Q$ has nonzero quotient only at subgroups conjugate into $Q$, by its induced-permutation realization, and its quotient at $Q$ is nonzero because its restriction contains its trivial source. Applied to a block $B=kGe$, the quotient at $\Delta P$ is ${\mathrm{Br}}_P(e)k{C}_G(P)$. Together with the maximal-subgroup characterization of defect from Question 1, this proves that its bimodule vertices are precisely $\Delta D$ for its defect groups $D$. The integral conclusion follows by orbit-sum reduction and idempotent lifting.

FinallyApply the just-proved Green correspondence with ambient group $G\times G$. Its unique vertex-$\Delta D$ summand of $B{\downarrow }_{H\times H}$ lies in $RH$: outside $H$ there is no $\Delta D$-fixed group-basis point, as in Question 2. Since the indecomposable $H\times H$ summands of $RH$ are exactly its block ideals, this summand is a block $b$ with defect group $D$. Conversely induction of $b$ has $B$ as its unique vertex-$\Delta D$ summand. The block bijection is the Brauer correspondence of Question 2, giving the claimed block form over either coefficient ring.

For the final special case put $N=N_G(D)$ with $D$ a trivial-intersection Sylow subgroup. For $g\notin N$, the intersection $N\cap {}^{g}N$ has order prime to $p$. Indeed every $p$-subgroup of it lies both in the normal Sylow subgroup $D$ of $N$ and in ${}^{g}D$, whose intersection is trivial. Mackey decomposition therefore giveswhere every other double-coset term is induced from a group of order prime to $p$. By Maschke's theorem such modules are projective, and induction preserves projectivity, so $P$ is projective.

Every nonprojective $kG$-module has nonprojective restriction to $N$: $[G:N]$ is prime to $p$, so averaging makes the module a summand of the induction of its restriction. A projective restriction would therefore make the original module projective. Decompose ${\mathrm{Ind}}_N^{G}M$ into indecomposables. Each nonprojective summand contributes a nonprojective summand on restriction, whereas the displayed Mackey formula and Krull–Schmidt theorem have exactly one nonprojective summand, $M$, with multiplicity one. There must be one, since $M$ is nonprojective. Hence

The Nagao version of Brauer second main theorem is the following module statement. Let $e$ be a central idempotent of $kG$, let $P$ be a p-subgroup, and suppose $C_G(P)\le K\le N_G(P)$. If $eM=M$, put $b={\mathrm{Br}}_P(e)$, which is central in $kK$. Thenand every indecomposable summand of the second term has vertex not containing $P$. More precisely it is relatively projective for some $p$-subgroup of $K$ not containing $P$. In particular the vertex-$P$ Green correspondent lies in the block selected by the Brauer morphism. This is the precise restriction statement needed below.

Let $B$ have defect group of a block $D$, and let $b$ be its Brauer correspondent in $N=N_G(D)$. We first build a trivial-source module in $b$. The exact functoris nonzero on the trivial $kD$-module. Otherwise it would vanish on every $kD$-module, since a group algebra of a p-group in characteristic p is local and all composition factors are trivial; but $F(kD)=b\ne 0$. Choose an indecomposable summand $V$ of $F(k)$. Since $D◃N$, its restriction to $D$ is a nonzero direct sum of trivial modules. It is $D$-projective. It cannot have a proper vertex $Q<D$: restriction would make a trivial $D$-module relatively $Q$-projective, whereas on its endomorphisms the trace from $Q$ is multiplication by $[D:Q]=0$ in $k$, contrary to the D. Higman criterion. Hence $V$ has vertex $D$ and trivial source.

Take its Green correspondent $M$ in $G$. To verify that $M$ is in the intended block rather than just some block with a large defect, let $e^{\prime }$ be the global block idempotent acting on $M$. Nagao's theorem puts the vertex-$D$ summand $V$ of $M{\downarrow }_N$ in ${\mathrm{Br}}_D(e^{\prime })$. Thus $e_b{\mathrm{Br}}_D(e^{\prime })\ne 0$. The first main theorem already gives $e_b={\mathrm{Br}}_D(e_B)$; orthogonality of Brauer images of different global block idempotents forces $e^{\prime }=e_B$. Green correspondence preserves sources, so $B$ contains an indecomposable module with vertex $D$ and trivial source. The same argument proves the same-block compatibility of Green correspondence for every vertex-$D$ module used below.

For finite representation type, first suppose $D$ is cyclic of order $q$. Write $D=⟨g⟩$ and $t=g-1$. Then $kD\cong k[t]/(t^q)$, and the indecomposable modules for a cyclic p-group are $k[t]/(t^j)$, $1\le j\le q$, by Jordan normal form. Every indecomposable module in $B$ is $D$-projective by Question 1, so is a summand of an induction of one of these finitely many indecomposable $kD$-modules. Each induction has finitely many indecomposable summands. Therefore $B$ has finite representation type.

For the converse it is important to obtain infinitely many modules of full vertex $D$, and not silently assume that the field is infinite. If $D$ is noncyclic, its quotient by the Frattini subgroup is elementary abelian of rank at least two, so $D$ maps onto $C_p\times C_p$. A rank-one Frattini quotient would make any lift of its generator generate $D$, since every proper subgroup is contained in a maximal subgroup. Here is an explicit family of full-vertex modules for a noncyclic p-group valid over every field $k$. Set $x=g-1$, $y=h-1$ for the two quotient generators. Onput $x{v}_0=0$, $x{v}_i=w_i$ for $1\le i\le r$, $y{v}_i=w_{i+1}$ for $0\le i<r$, $y{v}_r=0$, and $x{w}_i=y{w}_i=0$. All products of $x,y$ are zero, so the relations $x^p=y^p=0$ and $xy=yx$ hold, including when $p=2$.

These modules are indecomposable. Their common kernel and radical are $W=⟨w_i⟩$. An endomorphism preserves $W$; let $A$ be its induced matrix on $L_r/W$ and $C$ its matrix on $W$. The equations $CX=XA$, $CY=YA$ for the two displayed shift maps force $A$ and $C$ to be the same scalar: the first and last columns give the boundary zeroes, and the recurrence $a_{j,i+1}=a_{j-1,i}$ forces all off-diagonal entries to vanish and all diagonal entries to agree. The remaining endomorphisms map the top into $W$ and vanish on $W$, so form a square-zero ideal. Thus the endomorphism ring is local. Inflate $L_r$ to $D$ and choose the infinitely many $r$ for which $p\nmid 2r+1$. Such an $L_r$ has vertex $D$: if $1={\mathrm{Tr}}_Q^D(\alpha )$ for a proper $Q<D$, taking ordinary matrix traces would givea contradiction. Their distinct dimensions ensure distinct isomorphism classes.

Each $F(L_r)=e_b{\mathrm{Ind}}_D^N{L}_r$ is nonzero, by exactness and the already proved $F(k)\ne 0$. Its restriction to $D$ is a summand of a sum of conjugates of $L_r$, by normality of $D$ and Mackey decomposition. Consequently every indecomposable summand chosen from $F(L_r)$ has vertex $D$, and has a source conjugate to $L_r$. If $b$ contained only finitely many indecomposables, their restrictions to $D$ would contain only finitely many possible sources, contradicting this family. Green correspondence and Nagao's theorem then transfer infinitely many vertex-$D$ indecomposables in $b$ to distinct indecomposables in $B$. We have proved

Finally, for $C_p=⟨g⟩$, the algebra $k{C}_p=k[t]/(t^p)$ has precisely the indecomposablesOn $M_j$, $g$ acts as a single size-$j$ Jordan block with eigenvalue $1$. Its submodules are exactly its ideals, hence the powers of $t$: an ideal has a generator of least degree, and multiplying that generator by a unit makes it a power of $t$. Therefore its unique composition series of a module iswith $j$ trivial one-dimensional composition factors. This is uniqueness of the actual chain, stronger than uniqueness of the multiset of factors. The algebra is local, so its sole principal indecomposable module is its regular module $M_p=k{C}_p$, of dimension and composition length $p$.

Choose a Sylow $p$-subgroup $P$ of a module vertex $D$. Its index $[D:P]$ divides the $p^{\prime }$-part of $|G|$, so it is a unit in $R$ under the hypothesis. For every $RD$-module $U$, the induction counit from $P$ splits by averaging: equivalently, the relative trace satisfiesThe D. Higman criterion therefore makes every $RD$-module relatively $P$-projective. Since $M$ is relatively $D$-projective, transitivity of induction makes it relatively $P$-projective. Minimality of the module vertex now forces $D=P$. Thus every module vertex is a $p$-subgroup.

Put $b={\mathrm{Br}}_D(e)$. By equivariance of the Brauer homomorphism, $b$ is a central idempotent of $kK$, since $C_G(D)\le K\le N_G(D)$. The Nagao module theorem asserts that, if $eM=M$, thenand every indecomposable summand of $(1-b)M$ is relatively projective for a $p$-subgroup of $K$ not containing $D$. Because $D$ is normal in $K$, its module vertices cannot contain $D$ even after $K$-conjugation.

Here is a direct proof. As an element of $(kG{)}^K$, $e-b$ is a linear combination of $K$-conjugation orbit sums supported outside $C_G(D)$. An orbit represented by $x$ has sumIts stabilizer $C_K(x)$ does not contain $D$. On $T=(1-b)M$, the element $e-b$ acts as the identity. Map the orbit-sum expression into ${\mathrm{End}}_k(M)$ by left multiplication, and compose on both sides with the $K$-linear projection onto $T$. It follows thatReplace each centralizer by a Sylow $p$-subgroup of it using trace transitivity and its invertible prime-to-$p$ index. Project this identity further onto an indecomposable summand $U$ of $T$. Its endomorphism ring is local by Krull–Schmidt theorem. A sum of nonunits cannot be the identity in a local ring, so one of the trace terms is a unit $u$ in ${\mathrm{End}}_{kK}(U)$. Multiplying the endomorphism inside that trace by $u^{-1}$ gives ${\mathrm{id}}_U$ as a single relative trace. The D. Higman criterion makes $U$ relatively projective for that Sylow subgroup $Q\le C_K(x)$, and $D\nleqq Q$. This proves the assertion rather than just invoking the theorem's name.

An $RG$-module $M$ is relative projective module for $H$ when it has the lifting property for every $H$-split epimorphism: whenever the solid arrows form a commutative diagramwith $\pi :X\twoheadrightarrow Y$ an $RG$-map possessing an $RH$-linear section, there is an $RG$-map $\tilde{f}:M\to X$ such that $\pi \tilde{f}=f$. Equivalently, every $H$-split epimorphism onto $M$ has a $G$-linear section, or

For $\alpha \in {\mathrm{End}}_{RH}(M)$ define the relative traceThe D. Higman criterion is

SetEvery conjugate of $\alpha$ equals $\alpha$, soThe D. Higman criterion therefore gives

Existence of a minimal subgroup follows because $G$ has only finitely many subgroups and every module is relatively $G$-projective. Suppose an indecomposable module $M$ is relatively projective for both $H$ and $K$. Then $M$ is a summand of ${\mathrm{Ind}}_H^{G}U$ and of ${\mathrm{Ind}}_K^{G}V$ for suitable modules $U,V$. Applying the Mackey restriction formula and the Krull–Schmidt theorem shows that $M$ is relatively projective for some subgroupIf $H$ and $K$ are minimal, this forces $H\subseteq {}^{g}K$. Reversing their roles gives the reverse containment after conjugacy; since the groups are finite, $H$ and $K$ are conjugate. Thus vertices form a unique conjugacy class.

Let $Q$ be a vertex and let $P$ be a Sylow p-subgroup of $Q$. Since $[Q:P]$ is invertible in $k$, every $kQ$-module is relatively $P$-projective. Transitivity of relative projectivity makes $M$ relatively $P$-projective, so minimality forces $Q=P$. Hence every vertex is a p-group.

For the trivial module $k$, every $kH$-endomorphism is scalar, and its relative trace to $G$ is multiplication by $[G:H]$. The D. Higman criterion says that $k$ is relatively $H$-projective exactly when $p\nmid [G:H]$. The minimal such subgroups are precisely the Sylow p-subgroups. Therefore the vertex of an indecomposable module gives