Finite groups with only small automorphism orbits

Abstract

We study finite groups $G$ such that the maximum length of an orbit of the natural action of the automorphism group $\operatorname{Aut}(G)$ on $G$ is bounded from above by a constant. Our main results are the following: Firstly, a finite group $G$ only admits $\operatorname{Aut}(G)$-orbits of length at most $3$ if and only if $G$ is cyclic of one of the orders $1$, $2$, $3$, $4$ or $6$, or $G$ is the Klein four group or the symmetric group of degree $3$. Secondly, there are infinitely many finite ($2$-)groups $G$ such that the maximum length of an $\operatorname{Aut}(G)$-orbit on $G$ is $8$. Thirdly, the order of a $d$-generated finite group $G$ such that $G$ only admits $\operatorname{Aut}(G)$-orbits of length at most $c$ is explicitly bounded from above in terms of $c$ and $d$. Fourthly, a finite group $G$ such that all $\operatorname{Aut}(G)$-orbits on $G$ are of length at most $23$ is solvable.