Let k be an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic. The goal of this paper is to characterize the proper smooth curves X/k of positive genus g equipped with a k-rational point P such that X¶can be realized as an etale cover of the affine line.
A first elementary analysis shows that such a cover exists if and only if there exists an exact regular differential form on X having a unique zero at P (of order 2g-2). The main inconvenient of this approach is that it doesn't give any control on the degree of the cover. A finer investigation, essentially based on the duality between the Cartier operator and the Frobenius map allows to overcome this problem.
We prove that every projective variety of dimension n over a field of positive characteristic admits a morphism to projective n-space, etale away from the hyperplane H at infinity, which maps a chosen divisor into H and a chosen smooth point not on the divisor to some point not in H.
We prove that every geometrically reduced projective variety of pure dimension n over a field of positive characteristic admits a morphism to projective n-space, etale away from the hyperplane H at infinity, which maps a chosen divisor into H and some chosen smooth points not on the divisor to points not in H. This improves our earlier result in math.AG/0207150, which was restricted to infinite perfect fields. We also prove a related result that controls the behavior of divisors through the chosen point.
In the note we construct a family of étale coverings of the affine line. More specifically, let $F$ be a finite field of characteristic $p$ and suppose that the cardinality of $F$ is at least 4. Let $A = F[T]$ be the polynomial ring in one variable $T$, $K=F(T)$. Let $K_\infty$ be the completion of $K$ along the valuation given by $1/T$, and let $C$ be the completion of the algebraic closure of $K_\infty$. We prove in this note that there is a continous surjection $$π_1^{alg}(\A^1_C) \to \lim_{\leftarrow \atop I} SL_2( A/I )/{\pm 1},$$ where $π_1^{alg}(\A^1_C)$ is the algebraic fundamental gro…
Let $K$ be a field of characteristic $\ne 2$ and let $X$ be the affine variety over $K$ defined by the equation $$ X:\ a_0x_0^2 + \cdots + a_nx_n^2 = 1 $$ where $n\ge 0$ and $a_i\in K$. In this paper we compute the lowest mod 2 étale homological obstruction class to the existence of a $K$-rational point on $X$, and show that it is the cup product of the form $$ o_{n+1} = [a_0]\cup\cdots\cup[a_n]. $$ Our computation is an étale-homotopy analogue of the topological fact that Stiefel-Whitney classes are the homological obstructions to find a section to the unit sphere bundle of a real vector bund…
We construct pointed Prym-Brill-Noether varieties parametrizing line bundles assigned to an irreducible étale double covering of a curve with a prescribed minimal vanishing at a fixed point. We realize them as degeneracy loci in type D and deduce their classes in case of expected dimension. Thus, we determine a pointed Prym-Petri map and prove a pointed version of the Prym-Petri theorem implying that the expected dimension holds in the general case. These results build on work of Welters and De Concini-Pragacz on the unpointed case. Finally, we show that Prym varieties are Prym-Tyurin varietie…
We prove that given any $n$-pointed prestable curve $C$ of genus $g$ with linearly reductive automorphism group ${\rm Aut}(C)$, there exists an ${\rm Aut}(C)$-equivariant miniversal deformation of $C$ over an affine variety $W$. In other words, we prove that the algebraic stack $\mathfrak{M}_{g,n}$ parametrizing $n$-pointed prestable curves of genus $g$ has an étale neighborhood of $[C]$ isomorphic to the quotient stack $[W / {\rm Aut}(C)]$.
We introduce perfect resolving algebras and study their fundamental properties. These algebras are basic for our theory of differential graded schemes, as they give rise to affine differential graded schemes. We also introduce etale morphisms. The purpose for studying these, is that they will be used to glue differential graded schemes from affine ones with respect to an etale topology.
Let $G$ be a finite group acting effectively on the complex affine plane. If the $G$-action commutes with an étale endomorphism $f$ of the affine plane and the order of $G$ is even then the endomorphism $f$ is an automorphism.
Let k be a field, and let π:\tilde{X} -> X be a proper birational morphism of irreducible k-varieties, where \tilde{X} is smooth and X has at worst quotient singularities. When the characteristic of k is zero, a theorem of Kollár in [Ko1] says that π induces an isomorphism of etale fundamental groups. We give a proof of this result which works for all characteristics. As an application, we prove that for a smooth projective irreducible surface X over an algebraically closed field k, the etale fundamental group of the Hilbert scheme of n points of X, where n > 1, is canonically isomorphic to th…
Let $U$ be an affine smooth curve defined over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic. The Abhyankar Conjecture (proved by Raynaud and Harbater in 1994) describes the set of finite quotients of Grothendieck's étale fundamental group of $U$. In this paper, we consider a purely inseparable analogue of this problem, formulated in terms of Nori's profinite fundamental group scheme, and give a partial answer to it.
We establish several compatibility results between residue maps in étale and Galois cohomology that arise naturally in the analysis of smooth affine algebraic curves having good reduction over discretely valued fields. These results are needed, and in fact have already been used, for the study of finiteness properties of the unramified cohomology of function fields of affine curves over number fields.
Let $K$ be a field of characteristic zero complete for a discrete valuation, with perfect residue field of characteristic $p>0$, and let $K^+$ be the valuation ring of $K$. We relate the log-crystalline cohomology of the special fibre of certain affine $K^+$-schemes $X=\text{Spec}(R)$ with semi-stable reduction to the Galois cohomology of the fundamental group of the geometric generic fibre $π_1(X_{\bar{K}})$ with coefficients in a Fontaine ring constructed from $R$. This is based on Faltings' theory of almost étale extensions.
Let R be a semi-local regular domain containing an infinite perfect field k, and let K be the field of fractions of R. Let G be a reductive semi-simple simply connected R-group scheme such that each of its R-indecomposable factors is isotropic. We prove that for any Noetherian affine scheme A over k, the kernel of the map of etale cohomology sets H^1(A\times_k R,G)-> H^1(A\times_ k K,G), induced by the inclusion of R into K, is trivial. If R is the semi-local ring of several points on a k-smooth scheme, then it suffices to require that k is infinite and keep the same assumption concerning G.
In this note, we prove that the Q-Picard group of the moduli space of n-pointed stable curves of genus g over an algebraically closed field is generated by the tautological classes. We also prove that the cycle map to the 2nd etale cohomology group is bijective.
We define the affine stratification number asn X of a scheme X. For X equidimensional, it is the minimal number k such that there is a stratification of X by locally closed affine subschemes of codimension at most k. We show that the affine stratification number is well-behaved, and bounds many aspects of the topological complexity of the scheme, such as vanishing of cohomology groups of quasicoherent, constructible, and l-adic sheaves. We explain how to bound asn X in practice. We give a series of conjectures (the first by E. Looijenga) bounding the affine stratification number of various mod…
We prove that every connected affine scheme of positive characteristic is a K(pi, 1) space for the etale topology. The main ingredient is the special case of the affine space over a field k. This is dealt with by induction on n, using a key "Bertini-type"' statement regarding the wild ramification of l-adic local systems on affine spaces, which might be of independent interest. Its proof uses in an essential way recent advances in higher ramification theory due to T. Saito. We also give rigid analytic and mixed characteristic versions of the main result.
Let $f:X\to Y$ be a surjective morphism of integral schemes. Then $X$ is said to be quasi-galois closed over $Y$ by $f$ if $X$ has a unique conjugate over $Y$ in an algebraically closed field. Such a notion has been applied to the computation of étale fundamental groups. In this paper we will use affine coverings with values in a fixed field to discuss quasi-galois closed and then give a sufficient and essential condition for quasi-galois closed. Here, we will avoid using affine structures on a scheme since their definition looks copious and fussy.
In this paper we study the moduli stack ${\mathcal U}_{1,n}^{ns}$ of curves of arithmetic genus 1 with n marked points, forming a nonspecial divisor. In arXiv:1511.03797 this stack was realized as the quotient of an explicit scheme $\widetilde{\mathcal U}_{1,n}^{ns}$, affine of finite type over ${\Bbb P}^{n-1}$, by the action of ${\Bbb G}_m^n$ . Our main result is an explicit description of the corresponding GIT semistable loci in $\widetilde{\mathcal U}_{1,n}^{ns}$. This allows us to identify some of the GIT quotients with some of the modular compactifications of ${\mathcal M}_{1,n}$ defined …
Let X be a smooth projective algebraic curve of genus g minus $r\geq 1$ points defined over an algebraically closed field k of characteristic $p\geq 0$. The structure of the largest prime to p quotient of the étale fundamental group is well known by transcendental methods : it is isomorphic to the largest prime to p quotient of a free pro-finite group on 2g+r-1 generators. We show that, with purely algebraic means, we can prove the corresponding result for the largest pro-solvable quotient of these groups.
Let $R$ be a complete discrete valuation ring with fraction field $K$ and with algebraically closed residue field. Let $X$ be a faithfully flat $R$-scheme of finite type of relative dimension 1 and $G$ be any affine $K$-group scheme of finite type. We prove that every $G$-torsor $Y$ over the generic fibre $X_η$ of $X$ can be extended to a torsor over ${X'}$ under the action of an affine and flat $K$-group scheme of finite type $G'$ where $X'$ is obtained by $X$ after a finite number of Néron blowing ups. Moreover if $G$ is finite and étale (resp. admits a finite and flat model) we find $X'$ su…
Let $Π$ be the étale fundamental group of a smooth affine curve over an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p>0$. We establish a criterion for profinite freeness of closed subgroups of $Π$. Roughly speaking, if a closed subgroup of $Π$ is "captured" between two normal subgroups, then it is free, provided it contains most of the open subgroups of index $p$. In the proof we establish a strong version of "almost $ω$-freeness" of $Π$ and then apply the Haran-Shapiro induction.
We determine the mod p cohomological invariants for several affine group schemes G in chararacteristic p. These are invariants of G-torsors with values in etale motivic cohomology, or equivalently in Kato's version of Galois cohomology based on differential forms. In particular, we find the mod 2 cohomological invariants for the symmetric groups and the orthogonal groups in characteristic 2, which Serre computed in characteristic not 2. We also determine all operations on the mod p etale motivic cohomology of fields, extending Vial's computations of the operations on the mod p Milnor K-theory …
Let $X:=\mathbb{A}^{n}_{R}$ be the $n$-dimensional affine space over a discrete valuation ring $R$ with fraction field $K$. We prove that any pointed torsor $Y$ over $\mathbb{A}^{n}_{K}$ under the action of an affine finite type group scheme can be extended to a torsor over $\mathbb{A}^{n}_{R}$ possibly after pulling $Y$ back over an automorphism of $\mathbb{A}^{n}_{K}$. The proof is effective. Other cases, including $X=α_{p,R}$, will also be discussed.
In this article we consider outer Galois actions on a free profinite group of rank two, induced by the étale fundamental group of a projective line minus three points or of a pointed elliptic curve over a number field. Under mild technical assumptions their respective images uniquely determine the curves and the number fields.
Let k be a field. Denote by Spc(k)_* the unstable, pointed motivic homotopy category and by Omega_Gm: Spc(k)_* \to Spc(k)_* the Gm-loops functor. For a k-group G, denote by Gr_G the affine Grassmannian of G. If G is isotropic reductive, we provide a canonical motivic equivalence Omega_Gm G = Gr_G. If k is perfect, we use this to compute the motive M(Omega_Gm G) in DM(k, Z).
The wild part of Abhyankar's Inertia Conjecture for a product of certain Alternating groups is shown for any algebraically closed field of odd characteristic. For $d$ a multiple of the characteristic of the base field, a new étale $A_d$-cover of the affine line is obtained using an explicit equation and it is shown that it has the minimal possible upper jump.
Let $R$ be a complete discrete valuation ring with residue characteristic $p>0$. In this note we give an example of a Galois cover $f:Y\to X$ between flat and normal formal $R$-schemes of finite type which is étale above the generic fibre of $X$ such that the special fibre of $Y$ is reduced and such that $f$ doesn't have the structure of a torsor under a finite and flat $R$ group scheme. In the example $R$ has equal characteristic $p$ and the Galois group of the cover is cyclic of order $p^2$. In the example the formal scheme $X$ is affine and can be choosen to be even smooth.
Let $R$ be a regular semilocal integral domain containing an infinite field $k$. Let $f\in R$ be an element such that for all maximal ideals $\mathfrak m$ of $R$ we have $f\notin\mathfrak m^2$. Let $\mathbf G$ be a reductive group scheme over $R$. Under an isotropy assumption on $\mathbf G$ we show that a $\mathbf G$-torsor over the localization $R_f$ is trivial, provided it is rationally trivial. We show that it is not true without the isotropy assumption. Finally, if $\mathbf G$ is a commutative group scheme of multiplicative type and the regular semilocal ring contains a field of characteri…
We define formal orbifolds over an algebraically closed field of arbitrary characteristic as curves together with some branch data. Their étale coverings and their fundamental groups are also defined. These fundamental group approximates the fundamental group of an appropriate affine curve. We also define vector bundles on these objects and the category of orbifold bundles on any smooth projective curve. Analogues of various statement about vector bundles which are true in characteristic zero are proved. Some of these are positive characteristic avatar of notions which appear in the second aut…
Let U be a smooth geometrically connected affine curve over $\mathbb{F}_p$ with compactification X. Following Dwork and Katz, a $p$-adic representation $ρ$ of $π_1(U)$ corresponds to an étale $F$-isocrystal. By work of Tsuzuki and Crew an $F$-isocrystal is overconvergent precisely when $ρ$ has finite monodromy at each $x \in X-U$. However, in practice most F-isocrystals arising geometrically are not overconvergent and have logarithmic growth at singularities (e.g. characters of the Igusa tower over a modular curve). We give a Galois-theoretic interpretation of these log growth $F$-isocrystals …
We study wildly ramified G-Galois covers $ϕ:Y \to X$ branched at B (defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic p). We show that curves Y of arbitrarily high genus occur for such covers even when G, X, B and the inertia groups are fixed. The proof relies on a Galois action on covers of germs of curves and formal patching. As a corollary, we prove that for any nontrivial quasi-p group G and for any sufficiently large integer $σ$ with $p \nmid σ$, there exists a G-Galois étale cover of the affine line with conductor $σ$ above the point $\infty$.
