On primitive permutation groups with small suborbits and their orbital graphs

Abstract

In this paper, we study finite primitive permutation groups with a small suborbit. Based on the classification result of Quirin [Math. Z. 122 (1971) 267] and Wang [Comm. Algebra 20 (1992) 889], we first produce a precise list of primitive permutation groups with a suborbit of length 4. In particular, we show that there exist no examples of such groups with the point stabiliser of order 2 43 6, clarifying an uncertain question (since 1970s). Then we analyse the orbital graphs of primitive permutation groups with a suborbit of length 3 or of length 4. We obtain a complete classification of vertex-primitive arc-transitive graphs of valency 3 and valency 4, and we prove that there exist no vertex-primitive half-arc-transitive graphs of valency less than 10. Finally, we construct vertex-primitive half-arc-transitive graphs of valency 2 k for infinitely many integers k, with 14 as the smallest valency.