On the prime graph of simple groups

Abstract

Let $G$ be a finite group, let $\pi(G)$ be the set of prime divisors of $|G|$ and let $\Gamma(G)$ be the prime graph of $G$. This graph has vertex set $\pi(G)$, and two vertices $r$ and $s$ are adjacent if and only if $G$ contains an element of order $rs$. Many properties of these graphs have been studied in recent years, with a particular focus on the prime graphs of finite simple groups. In this note, we determine the pairs $(G,H)$, where $G$ is simple and $H$ is a proper subgroup of $G$ such that $\Gamma(G) = \Gamma(H)$.