Abelian group matrices over the p-adic and rational integers

Abstract

Let G be a finite abelian group of order n. Let Z and Q denote the rational integers and rationals, respectively. A group matrix for G over Z (or Q) is an n-square matrix of the form Σg ∈ GagP(g), where ag ∈ Z (or Q) and P is the regular representation of G so that P(g) is an n-square permutation matrix and P(gh) = P(g)P(h) for all g, h ∈ G. It is known that if M is an arbitrary positive definite unimodular matrix over Z then there exists a matrix A over Q such that M = AτA, where τ denotes transposition. This paper proves that the exact analogue of this theorem holds if one demands that M and A be group matrices for G over Z and Q, respectively. Furthermore, if M is a group matrix for G over the p-adic integers then necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of a group matrix A for G over the p-adic numbers such that M = AτA.