Finite p-groups with a Frobenius group of automorphisms whose kernel is a cyclic p-group

Abstract: Suppose that a finite $p$-group $P$ admits a Frobenius group of automorphisms $FH$ with kernel $F$ that is a cyclic $p$-group and with complement $H$. It is proved that if the fixed-point subgroup $C_P(H)$ of the complement is nilpotent of class $c$, then $P$ has a characteristic subgroup of index bounded in terms of $c$, $|C_P(F)|$, and $|F|$ whose nilpotency class is bounded in terms of $c$ and $|H|$ only. Examples show that the condition of $F$ being cyclic is essential. The proof is based on a Lie ring method and a theorem of the authors and P. Shumyatsky about Lie rings with a metacyclic Frobenius group of automorphisms $FH$. It is also proved that $P$ has a characteristic subgroup of $(|C_P(F)|, |F|)$-bounded index whose order and rank are bounded in terms of $|H|$ and the order and rank of $C_P(H)$, respectively, and whose exponent is bounded in terms of the exponent of $C_P(H)$.