Finite simple groups that are not spectrum critical

Abstract

Let G be a finite group. The spectrum of G is the set ω(G) of orders of all its elements. The subset of prime elements of ω(G) is called the prime spectrum and is denoted by π(G). A group G is called spectrum critical (prime spectrum critical) if, for any subgroups K and L of G such that K is a normal subgroup of L, the equality ω(L/K) = ω(G) (π(L/K) = π(G), respectively) implies that L = G and K = 1. In the present paper, we describe all finite simple groups that are not spectrum critical. In addition, we show that a prime spectrum minimal group G is prime spectrum critical if and only if its Fitting subgroup F(G) is a Hall subgroup of G.