On the nonabelian tensor square of a 2-Engel group

Abstract.

In this paper we determine the nonabelian tensor square of the free 2-Engel group of rank 3 and of the Burnside group on 3 generators of exponent 3. Both tensor squares are nilpotent groups of class 2. The calculatory method used is based on the concept of a crossed pairing. Some of the expansion formulas and verifications occuring in this context require extensive calculations. A computer program written in the GAP language assisted in completing these symbolic computations.