Let
G⊆SL(2,F) be a finite group,
V=F2 the natural
SL(2,F)-module, and
charF=p>0. Let
S(V) be the symmetric algebra of
V and
S(V)G the ring of
G-invariants. We provide examples of groups
G , where
S(V)G is Cohen–Macaulay, but is not Gorenstein. This refutes a natural conjecture due to Kemper, Körding, Malle, Matzat, Vogel and Wiese. Let
T(G) denote the subgroup generated by all transvections of
G . We show that
S(V)G is Gorenstein if and only if one of the following cases holds:
- (1)
T(G)={1G},
- (2)
V is an irreducible T(G)-module,
- (3)
V is a reducible T(G)-module and |G| divides |T(G)|(|T(G)|−1).