Lemma 41.11.3. Let $A$, $B$ be Noetherian local rings. Let $A \to B$ be a local homomorphism such that $B$ is essentially of finite type over $A$. The following are equivalent

1. $A \to B$ is an étale homomorphism of local rings

2. $A^\wedge \to B^\wedge$ is an étale homomorphism of local rings, and

3. $A^\wedge \to B^\wedge$ is étale.

Moreover, in this case $B^\wedge \cong (A^\wedge )^{\oplus n}$ as $A^\wedge$-modules for some $n \geq 1$.

Proof. To see the equivalences of (1), (2) and (3), as we have the corresponding results for unramified ring maps (Lemma 41.3.4) it suffices to prove that $A \to B$ is flat if and only if $A^\wedge \to B^\wedge$ is flat. This is clear from our lists of properties of flat maps since the ring maps $A \to A^\wedge$ and $B \to B^\wedge$ are faithfully flat. For the final statement, by Lemma 41.3.3 we see that $B^\wedge$ is a finite flat $A^\wedge$ module. Hence it is finite free by our list of properties on flat modules in Section 41.9. $\square$

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