On superstable CSA-groups

Abstract

We prove that a nonabelian superstable CSA-group has an infinite definable simple subgroup all of whose proper definable subgroups are abelian. This imply in particular that the existence of nonabelian CSA-group of finite Morley rank is equivalent to the existence of a simple bad group all whose definable proper subgroups are abelian. We give a new proof of a result of Mustafin and Poizat [E. Mustafin, B. Poizat, Sous-groupes superstables de S L 2 ( K ) (submitted for publication)] which states that a superstable model of the universal theory of nonabelian free groups is abelian. We deduce also that a superstable torsion-free hyperbolic group is cyclic. We close the paper by showing that an existentially closed CSA ∗-group is not superstable.