Forbidden subgraphs in generating graphs of finite groups

Abstract

Let $G$ be a $2$-generated group. The generating graph $Γ(G)$ is the graph whose vertices are the elements of $G$ and where two vertices $g_1$ and $g_2$ are adjacent if $G = \langle g_1, g_2 \rangle.$ This graph encodes the combinatorial structure of the distribution of generating pairs across $G.$ In this paper we study some graph theoretic properties of $Γ(G)$, with particular emphasis on those properties that can be formulated in terms of forbidden induced subgraphs. In particular we investigate when the generating graph $Γ(G)$ is a cograph (giving a complete description when $G$ is soluble) and when it is perfect (giving a complete description when $G$ is nilpotent and proving, among the others, that $Γ(S_n)$ and $Γ(A_n)$ are perfect if and only if $n\leq 4$). Finally we prove that for a finite group $G$, the properties that $Γ(G)$ is split, chordal or $C_4$-free are equivalent.