Orders of automorphisms of K3 surfaces

Abstract

We determine all posible orders of automorphisms of finite order of complex K3 surfaces or of K3 surfaces in characteristic $p>3$. E.g., a positive integer $N$ is the order of an automorphism of a complex K3 surface if and only if $\phi(N)\le 20$ where $\phi$ is the Euler function. In particular, 66 is the maximum finite order in each characteristic $p\neq 2,3$. As a consequence, we give a bound for the orders of finite groups acting on K3 surfaces in characteristic $p>7$.