Computing in Nilpotent Matrix Groups

We present algorithms for testing nilpotency of matrix groups over finite fields, and for deciding irreducibility and primitivity of nilpotent matrix groups. The algorithms also construct modules and imprimitivity systems for nilpotent groups. In order to justify our algorithms, we prove several structural results for nilpotent linear groups, and computational and theoretical results for abstract nil-potent groups, which are of independent interest.