## 65.12 Reduced spaces

We have already defined reduced algebraic spaces in Section 65.7. Here we just prove some simple lemmas regarding reduced algebraic spaces.

Lemma 65.12.1. Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $Z \to X$ be an immersion of algebraic spaces. Then $|Z| \to |X|$ is a homeomorphism of $|Z|$ onto a locally closed subset of $|X|$.

Proof. Let $U$ be a scheme and $U \to X$ a surjective étale morphism. Then $Z \times _ X U \to U$ is an immersion of schemes, hence gives a homeomorphism of $|Z \times _ X U|$ with a locally closed subset $T'$ of $|U|$. By Lemma 65.4.3 the subset $T'$ is the inverse image of the image $T$ of $|Z| \to |X|$. The map $|Z| \to |X|$ is injective because the transformation of functors $Z \to X$ is injective, see Spaces, Section 64.12. By Topology, Lemma 5.6.4 we see that $T$ is locally closed in $|X|$. Moreover, the continuous map $|Z| \to T$ is a homeomorphism as the map $|Z \times _ X U| \to T'$ is a homeomorphism and $|Z \times _ Y U| \to |Z|$ is submersive. $\square$

The following lemma will help us construct (locally) closed subspaces.

Lemma 65.12.2. Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $j : R \to U \times _ S U$ be an étale equivalence relation. Let $X = U/R$ be the associated algebraic space (Spaces, Theorem 64.10.5). There is a canonical bijection

$R\text{-invariant locally closed subschemes }Z'\text{ of }U \leftrightarrow \text{locally closed subspaces }Z\text{ of }X$

Moreover, if $Z \to X$ is closed (resp. open) if and only if $Z' \to U$ is closed (resp. open).

Proof. Denote $\varphi : U \to X$ the canonical map. The bijection sends $Z \to X$ to $Z' = Z \times _ X U \to U$. It is immediate from the definition that $Z' \to U$ is an immersion, resp. closed immersion, resp. open immersion if $Z \to X$ is so. It is also clear that $Z'$ is $R$-invariant (see Groupoids, Definition 39.19.1).

Conversely, assume that $Z' \to U$ is an immersion which is $R$-invariant. Let $R'$ be the restriction of $R$ to $Z'$, see Groupoids, Definition 39.18.2. Since $R' = R \times _{s, U} Z' = Z' \times _{U, t} R$ in this case we see that $R'$ is an étale equivalence relation on $Z'$. By Spaces, Theorem 64.10.5 we see $Z = Z'/R'$ is an algebraic space. By construction we have $U \times _ X Z = Z'$, so $U \times _ X Z \to Z$ is an immersion. Note that the property “immersion” is preserved under base change and fppf local on the base (see Spaces, Section 64.4). Moreover, immersions are separated and locally quasi-finite (see Schemes, Lemma 26.23.8 and Morphisms, Lemma 29.20.16). Hence by More on Morphisms, Lemma 37.55.1 immersions satisfy descent for fppf covering. This means all the hypotheses of Spaces, Lemma 64.11.5 are satisfied for $Z \to X$, $\mathcal{P}=$“immersion”, and the étale surjective morphism $U \to X$. We conclude that $Z \to X$ is representable and an immersion, which is the definition of a subspace (see Spaces, Definition 64.12.1).

It is clear that these constructions are inverse to each other and we win. $\square$

Lemma 65.12.3. Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $X$ be an algebraic space over $S$. Let $T \subset |X|$ be a closed subset. There exists a unique closed subspace $Z \subset X$ with the following properties: (a) we have $|Z| = T$, and (b) $Z$ is reduced.

Proof. Let $U \to X$ be a surjective étale morphism, where $U$ is a scheme. Set $R = U \times _ X U$, so that $X = U/R$, see Spaces, Lemma 64.9.1. As usual we denote $s, t : R \to U$ the two projection morphisms. By Lemma 65.4.5 we see that $T$ corresponds to a closed subset $T' \subset |U|$ such that $s^{-1}(T') = t^{-1}(T')$. Let $Z' \subset U$ be the reduced induced scheme structure on $T'$. In this case the fibre products $Z' \times _{U, t} R$ and $Z' \times _{U, s} R$ are closed subschemes of $R$ (Schemes, Lemma 26.18.2) which are étale over $Z'$ (Morphisms, Lemma 29.36.4), and hence reduced (because being reduced is local in the étale topology, see Remark 65.7.3). Since they have the same underlying topological space (see above) we conclude that $Z' \times _{U, t} R = Z' \times _{U, s} R$. Thus we can apply Lemma 65.12.2 to obtain a closed subspace $Z \subset X$ whose pullback to $U$ is $Z'$. By construction $|Z| = T$ and $Z$ is reduced. This proves existence. We omit the proof of uniqueness. $\square$

Lemma 65.12.4. Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $X$, $Y$ be algebraic spaces over $S$. Let $Z \subset X$ be a closed subspace. Assume $Y$ is reduced. A morphism $f : Y \to X$ factors through $Z$ if and only if $f(|Y|) \subset |Z|$.

Proof. Assume $f(|Y|) \subset |Z|$. Choose a diagram

$\xymatrix{ V \ar[d]_ b \ar[r]_ h & U \ar[d]^ a \\ Y \ar[r]^ f & X }$

where $U$, $V$ are schemes, and the vertical arrows are surjective and étale. The scheme $V$ is reduced, see Lemma 65.7.1. Hence $h$ factors through $a^{-1}(Z)$ by Schemes, Lemma 26.12.7. So $a \circ h$ factors through $Z$. As $Z \subset X$ is a subsheaf, and $V \to Y$ is a surjection of sheaves on $(\mathit{Sch}/S)_{fppf}$ we conclude that $X \to Y$ factors through $Z$. $\square$

Definition 65.12.5. Let $S$ be a scheme, and let $X$ be an algebraic space over $S$. Let $Z \subset |X|$ be a closed subset. An algebraic space structure on $Z$ is given by a closed subspace $Z'$ of $X$ with $|Z'|$ equal to $Z$. The reduced induced algebraic space structure on $Z$ is the one constructed in Lemma 65.12.3. The reduction $X_{red}$ of $X$ is the reduced induced algebraic space structure on $|X|$.

Comment #5097 by Klaus Mattis on

Lemma 0BGS (63.12.1.) uses the structure sheaf of an algebraic space. But the structure sheaf is not defined yet, it will be defined in Definition 03G7 (63.21.2.). Maybe one should at least insert a forward reference.

In your comment you can use Markdown and LaTeX style mathematics (enclose it like $\pi$). A preview option is available if you wish to see how it works out (just click on the eye in the toolbar).