Which finite simple groups are unit groups?

We prove that if $G$ is a finite simple group which is the unit group of a ring, then $G$ is isomorphic to either (a) a cyclic group of order 2; (b) a cyclic group of prime order $2^k -1$ for some $k$; or (c) a projective special linear group $PSL_n(\mathbb{F}_2)$ for some $n \geq 3$. Moreover, these groups do (trivially) all occur as unit groups. We deduce this classification from a more general result, which holds for groups $G$ with no non-trivial normal 2-subgroup

Gravity on Finite Groups

Gravity theories are constructed on finite groups G. A self-consistent review of the differential calculi on finite G is given, with some new developments. The example of a bicovariant differential calculus on the nonabelian finite group S_3 is treated in detail, and used to build a gravity-like field theory on S_3.Comment: LaTeX, 26 pages, 1 figure. Corrected misprints and formula giving exterior product of n 1-forms. Added note on topological actio

Automorphism groups of polycyclic-by-finite groups and arithmetic groups

We show that the outer automorphism group of a polycyclic-by-finite group is an arithmetic group. This result follows from a detailed structural analysis of the automorphism groups of such groups. We use an extended version of the theory of the algebraic hull functor initiated by Mostow. We thus make applicable refined methods from the theory of algebraic and arithmetic groups. We also construct examples of polycyclic-by-finite groups which have an automorphism group which does not contain an arithmetic group of finite index. Finally we discuss applications of our results to the groups of homotopy self-equivalences of K(\Gamma, 1)-spaces and obtain an extension of arithmeticity results of Sullivan in rational homotopy theory