Algebraic function field

In

rational functions

in n variables over k.

Example

As an example, in the polynomial ring k [X,Y] consider the ideal generated by the irreducible polynomial Y² − X³ and form the field of fractions of the quotient ring k [X,Y]/(Y² − X³). This is a function field of one variable over k; it can also be written as $k(X)({\sqrt {X^{3}}})$ (with degree 2 over $k(X)$ ) or as $k(Y)({\sqrt[{3}]{Y^{2}}})$ (with degree 3 over $k(Y)$ ). We see that the degree of an algebraic function field is not a well-defined notion.

Category structure

The algebraic function fields over k form a

morphisms from function field K to L are the ring homomorphisms f : K → L with f(a) = a for all a in k. All these morphisms are injective

. If K is a function field over k of n variables, and L is a function field in m variables, and n > m, then there are no morphisms from K to L.

Function fields arising from varieties, curves and Riemann surfaces

The function field of an algebraic variety of dimension n over k is an algebraic function field of n variables over k. Two varieties are

isomorphic varieties may have the same function field!) Assigning to each variety its function field yields a duality (contravariant equivalence) between the category of varieties over k (with dominant rational maps as morphisms) and the category of algebraic function fields over k. (The varieties considered here are to be taken in the scheme sense; they need not have any k-rational points, like the curve

X 2 + Y 2 + 1 = 0

defined over the reals

, that is with

k = R

.)

The case n = 1 (irreducible algebraic curves in the

regular maps

as morphisms) and the category of function fields of one variable over k.

The field M(X) of

holomorphic maps as morphisms) and function fields of one variable over C. A similar correspondence exists between compact connected Klein surfaces

and function fields in one variable over R.

Number fields and finite fields

The

number fields have a counterpart on function fields of one variable over a finite field, and these counterparts are frequently easier to prove. (For example, see Analogue for irreducible polynomials over a finite field.) In the context of this analogy, both number fields and function fields over finite fields are usually called "global fields

".

The study of function fields over a finite field has applications in

public key cryptography

) is an algebraic function field.

Function fields over the field of rational numbers play also an important role in solving inverse Galois problems.

Field of constants

Given any algebraic function field K over k, we can consider the set of elements of K which are algebraic over k. These elements form a field, known as the field of constants of the algebraic function field.

For instance, C(x) is a function field of one variable over R; its field of constants is C.

Valuations and places

Key tools to study algebraic function fields are absolute values, valuations, places and their completions.

Given an algebraic function field K/k of one variable, we define the notion of a valuation ring of K/k: this is a subring O of K that contains k and is different from k and K, and such that for any x in K we have x ∈ O or x^-1 ∈ O. Each such valuation ring is a discrete valuation ring and its maximal ideal is called a place of K/k.

A discrete valuation of K/k is a

surjective

function v : K → Z∪{∞} such that v(x) = ∞ iff x = 0, v(xy) = v(x) + v(y) and v(x + y) ≥ min(v(x),v(y)) for all x, y ∈ K, and v(a) = 0 for all a ∈ k \ {0}.

There are natural bijective correspondences between the set of valuation rings of K/k, the set of places of K/k, and the set of discrete valuations of K/k. These sets can be given a natural topological structure: the Zariski–Riemann space of K/k.

References

ISBN 9780817645151
.

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[1] ISBN 9780817645151
.