Exponent of a finite group of odd order with an involutory automorphism

Abstract

Let $G$ be a finite group of odd order admitting an involutory automorphism $\phi$. We obtain two results bounding the exponent of $[G,\phi]$. Denote by $G_{-\phi}$ the set $\{[g,\phi]\,\vert\, g\in G\}$ and by $G_{\phi}$ the centralizer of $\phi$, that is, the subgroup of fixed points of $\phi$. The obtained results are as follows.1. Assume that the subgroup $\langle x,y\rangle$ has derived length at most $d$ and $x^e=1$ for every $x,y\in G_{-\phi}$. Suppose that $G_\phi$ is nilpotent of class $c$. Then the exponent of $[G,\phi]$ is $(c,d,e)$-bounded.2. Assume that $G_\phi$ has rank $r$ and $x^e=1$ for each $x\in G_{-\phi}$. Then the exponent of $[G,\phi]$ is $(e,r)$-bounded.