The transvection free groups with polynomial rings of invariants

Abstract

Let G be a finite linear group containing no transvections. This paper proves that the ring of invariants of G is polynomial if and only if the pointwise stabilizer in G of any subspace is generated by pseudoreflections. Kemper and Malle used the classification of finite irreducible groups generated by pseudoreflections to prove the irreducible case in arbitrary characteristic. We extend their result to the reducible case.