# The Stacks Project

## Tag 01K2

### 25.19. Quasi-compact morphisms

A scheme is quasi-compact if its underlying topological space is quasi-compact. There is a relative notion which is defined as follows.

Definition 25.19.1. A morphism of schemes is called quasi-compact if the underlying map of topological spaces is quasi-compact, see Topology, Definition 5.12.1.

Lemma 25.19.2. Let $f : X \to S$ be a morphism of schemes. The following are equivalent

1. $f : X \to S$ is quasi-compact,
2. the inverse image of every affine open is quasi-compact, and
3. there exists some affine open covering $S = \bigcup_{i \in I} U_i$ such that $f^{-1}(U_i)$ is quasi-compact for all $i$.

Proof. Suppose we are given a covering $S = \bigcup_{i \in I} U_i$ as in (3). First, let $U \subset S$ be any affine open. For any $u \in U$ we can find an index $i(u) \in I$ such that $u \in U_{i(u)}$. As standard opens form a basis for the topology on $U_{i(u)}$ we can find $W_u \subset U \cap U_{i(u)}$ which is standard open in $U_{i(u)}$. By compactness we can find finitely many points $u_1, \ldots, u_n \in U$ such that $U = \bigcup_{j = 1}^n W_{u_j}$. For each $j$ write $f^{-1}U_{i(u_j)} = \bigcup_{k \in K_j} V_{jk}$ as a finite union of affine opens. Since $W_{u_j} \subset U_{i(u_j)}$ is a standard open we see that $f^{-1}(W_{u_j}) \cap V_{jk}$ is a standard open of $V_{jk}$, see Algebra, Lemma 10.16.4. Hence $f^{-1}(W_{u_j}) \cap V_{jk}$ is affine, and so $f^{-1}(W_{u_j})$ is a finite union of affines. This proves that the inverse image of any affine open is a finite union of affine opens.

Next, assume that the inverse image of every affine open is a finite union of affine opens. Let $K \subset S$ be any quasi-compact open. Since $S$ has a basis of the topology consisting of affine opens we see that $K$ is a finite union of affine opens. Hence the inverse image of $K$ is a finite union of affine opens. Hence $f$ is quasi-compact.

Finally, assume that $f$ is quasi-compact. In this case the argument of the previous paragraph shows that the inverse image of any affine is a finite union of affine opens. $\square$

Lemma 25.19.3. Being quasi-compact is a property of morphisms of schemes over a base which is preserved under arbitrary base change.

Proof. Omitted. $\square$

Lemma 25.19.4. The composition of quasi-compact morphisms is quasi-compact.

Proof. This follows from the definitions and Topology, Lemma 5.12.2. $\square$

Lemma 25.19.5. A closed immersion is quasi-compact.

Proof. Follows from the definitions and Topology, Lemma 5.12.3. $\square$

Example 25.19.6. An open immersion is in general not quasi-compact. The standard example of this is the open subspace $U \subset X$, where $X = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(k[x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots])$, where $U$ is $X \setminus \{0\}$, and where $0$ is the point of $X$ corresponding to the maximal ideal $(x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots)$.

Lemma 25.19.7. Let $f : X \to S$ be a quasi-compact morphism of schemes. The following are equivalent

1. $f(X) \subset S$ is closed, and
2. $f(X) \subset S$ is stable under specialization.

Proof. We have (1) $\Rightarrow$ (2) by Topology, Lemma 5.19.2. Assume (2). Let $U \subset S$ be an affine open. It suffices to prove that $f(X) \cap U$ is closed. Since $U \cap f(X)$ is stable under specializations in $U$, we have reduced to the case where $S$ is affine. Because $f$ is quasi-compact we deduce that $X = f^{-1}(S)$ is quasi-compact as $S$ is affine. Thus we may write $X = \bigcup_{i = 1}^n U_i$ with $U_i \subset X$ open affine. Say $S = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(R)$ and $U_i = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A_i)$ for some $R$-algebra $A_i$. Then $f(X) = \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A_1 \times \ldots \times A_n) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(R))$. Thus the lemma follows from Algebra, Lemma 10.40.5. $\square$

Lemma 25.19.8. Let $f : X \to S$ be a quasi-compact morphism of schemes. Then $f$ is closed if and only if specializations lift along $f$, see Topology, Definition 5.19.4.

Proof. According to Topology, Lemma 5.19.7 if $f$ is closed then specializations lift along $f$. Conversely, suppose that specializations lift along $f$. Let $Z \subset X$ be a closed subset. We may think of $Z$ as a scheme with the reduced induced scheme structure, see Definition 25.12.5. Since $Z \subset X$ is closed the restriction of $f$ to $Z$ is still quasi-compact. Moreover specializations lift along $Z \to S$ as well, see Topology, Lemma 5.19.5. Hence it suffices to prove $f(X)$ is closed if specializations lift along $f$. In particular $f(X)$ is stable under specializations, see Topology, Lemma 5.19.6. Thus $f(X)$ is closed by Lemma 25.19.7. $\square$

The code snippet corresponding to this tag is a part of the file schemes.tex and is located in lines 3395–3553 (see updates for more information).

\section{Quasi-compact morphisms}
\label{section-quasi-compact}

\noindent
A scheme is {\it quasi-compact} if its underlying topological space is
quasi-compact. There is a relative notion which is defined as follows.

\begin{definition}
\label{definition-quasi-compact}
A morphism of schemes is called {\it quasi-compact}
if the underlying map of topological spaces is
quasi-compact, see
Topology, Definition \ref{topology-definition-quasi-compact}.
\end{definition}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-quasi-compact-affine}
Let $f : X \to S$ be a morphism of schemes.
The following are equivalent
\begin{enumerate}
\item $f : X \to S$ is quasi-compact,
\item the inverse image of every affine open is quasi-compact, and
\item there exists some affine open covering $S = \bigcup_{i \in I} U_i$
such that $f^{-1}(U_i)$ is quasi-compact for all $i$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Suppose we are given a covering $S = \bigcup_{i \in I} U_i$ as in (3).
First, let $U \subset S$ be any affine open. For any $u \in U$
we can find an index $i(u) \in I$ such that $u \in U_{i(u)}$.
As standard opens form a basis for the topology on $U_{i(u)}$ we can find
$W_u \subset U \cap U_{i(u)}$ which is standard open in $U_{i(u)}$.
By compactness we can find finitely many points $u_1, \ldots, u_n \in U$
such that $U = \bigcup_{j = 1}^n W_{u_j}$. For each $j$ write
$f^{-1}U_{i(u_j)} = \bigcup_{k \in K_j} V_{jk}$ as a finite
union of affine opens. Since $W_{u_j} \subset U_{i(u_j)}$ is a standard
open we see that $f^{-1}(W_{u_j}) \cap V_{jk}$ is a standard
open of $V_{jk}$, see Algebra, Lemma \ref{algebra-lemma-spec-functorial}.
Hence $f^{-1}(W_{u_j}) \cap V_{jk}$ is affine, and so
$f^{-1}(W_{u_j})$ is a finite union of affines. This proves that the
inverse image of any affine open is a finite union of affine opens.

\medskip\noindent
Next, assume that the inverse image of every affine open is a finite
union of affine opens.
Let $K \subset S$ be any quasi-compact open. Since $S$ has a basis
of the topology consisting of affine opens we see that $K$ is a finite
union of affine opens. Hence the inverse image of $K$ is a finite
union of affine opens. Hence $f$ is quasi-compact.

\medskip\noindent
Finally, assume that $f$ is quasi-compact. In this case the argument
of the previous paragraph shows that the inverse image of any affine
is a finite union of affine opens.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-quasi-compact-preserved-base-change}
Being quasi-compact is a property of morphisms of schemes
over a base which is preserved under arbitrary base change.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-composition-quasi-compact}
The composition of quasi-compact morphisms is quasi-compact.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
This follows from the definitions and
Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-composition-quasi-compact}.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-closed-immersion-quasi-compact}
A closed immersion is quasi-compact.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Follows from the definitions and
Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-closed-in-quasi-compact}.
\end{proof}

\begin{example}
\label{example-open-immersion-not-quasi-compact}
An open immersion is in general not quasi-compact.
The standard example of this is the open subspace
$U \subset X$, where $X = \Spec(k[x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots])$,
where $U$ is $X \setminus \{0\}$, and where $0$ is the point
of $X$ corresponding to the maximal ideal
$(x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots)$.
\end{example}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-image-quasi-compact-closed}
Let $f : X \to S$ be a quasi-compact morphism of schemes.
The following are equivalent
\begin{enumerate}
\item $f(X) \subset S$ is closed, and
\item $f(X) \subset S$ is stable under specialization.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
We have (1) $\Rightarrow$ (2) by
Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-open-closed-specialization}.
Assume (2). Let $U \subset S$ be an affine open. It suffices to prove
that $f(X) \cap U$ is closed. Since $U \cap f(X)$ is stable under
specializations in $U$, we have reduced to the case where $S$ is affine.
Because $f$ is quasi-compact we deduce that $X = f^{-1}(S)$ is
quasi-compact as $S$ is affine. Thus we may write
$X = \bigcup_{i = 1}^n U_i$ with $U_i \subset X$ open affine.
Say $S = \Spec(R)$ and
$U_i = \Spec(A_i)$ for some $R$-algebra $A_i$.
Then $f(X) = \Im(\Spec(A_1 \times \ldots \times A_n) \to \Spec(R))$. Thus the lemma follows from
Algebra, Lemma \ref{algebra-lemma-image-stable-specialization-closed}.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-quasi-compact-closed}
Let $f : X \to S$ be a quasi-compact morphism of schemes.
Then $f$ is closed if and only if specializations lift
along $f$, see
Topology, Definition \ref{topology-definition-lift-specializations}.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
According to
Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-closed-open-map-specialization}
if $f$ is closed then specializations lift along $f$.
Conversely, suppose that specializations lift along $f$.
Let $Z \subset X$ be a closed subset. We may think of $Z$
as a scheme with the reduced induced scheme structure, see
Definition \ref{definition-reduced-induced-scheme}.
Since $Z \subset X$ is closed the restriction
of $f$ to $Z$ is still quasi-compact. Moreover specializations lift
along $Z \to S$ as well,
see Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-lift-specialization-composition}.
Hence it suffices to prove $f(X)$ is closed if specializations lift along $f$.
In particular $f(X)$ is stable under specializations, see
Topology, Lemma \ref{topology-lemma-lift-specializations-images}.
Thus $f(X)$ is closed by
Lemma \ref{lemma-image-quasi-compact-closed}.
\end{proof}

Comment #278 by Keenan Kidwell on August 9, 2013 a 2:49 am UTC

In the proof of Lemma 01K4, the assumption that $W_u$ is standard open in $U$ is never used. The only part that matters is that $W_u$ is standard open in $U_{i(u)}$, so the result about the existence of simultaneous standard opens in intersections of affines isn't needed (only that standard opens form a base for the Zariski topology of an affine scheme).

Comment #279 by Johan (site) on August 21, 2013 a 2:41 pm UTC

Fixed here. Thanks!

Comment #1321 by Erik Visse on February 17, 2015 a 2:41 pm UTC

There is a typo in the first line of the proof of Lemma 25.19.2. X should be S.

Comment #1344 by Johan (site) on March 12, 2015 a 7:05 pm UTC

Thanks! This is fixed here.

Comment #1474 by sdf on May 24, 2015 a 7:53 pm UTC

The two instances of $X$ in the second paragraph of Lemma 25.19.2. should be S, since $f:X\rightarrow S$.

Comment #1492 by Johan (site) on June 7, 2015 a 12:46 pm UTC

Thanks. Fixed here.

Comment #2462 by Andrea on March 25, 2017 a 4:52 pm UTC

There is a typo in the sixth line of the proof of lemma 25.19.2: instead of $U_{i(u)}$ there should be $U_{i(u_j)}$, I think.

Comment #2499 by Johan (site) on April 13, 2017 a 11:26 pm UTC

Thanks, fixed here.

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