Lemma 33.8.10. Let $K/k$ be an extension of fields. Let $X$ be a scheme over $k$. For every irreducible component $\overline{T} \subset X_ K$ the image of $\overline{T}$ in $X$ is an irreducible component in $X$. This defines a canonical map

$\text{IrredComp}(X_ K) \longrightarrow \text{IrredComp}(X)$

which is surjective.

Proof. Consider the diagram

$\xymatrix{ X_ K \ar[d] & X_{\overline{K}} \ar[d] \ar[l] \\ X & X_{\overline{k}} \ar[l] }$

where $\overline{K}$ is the separable algebraic closure of $K$, and where $\overline{k}$ is the separable algebraic closure of $k$. By Lemma 33.8.7 the morphism $X_{\overline{K}} \to X_{\overline{k}}$ induces a bijection between irreducible components. Hence it suffices to show the lemma for the morphisms $X_{\overline{k}} \to X$ and $X_{\overline{K}} \to X_ K$. In other words we may assume that $K = \overline{k}$.

The morphism $p : X_{\overline{k}} \to X$ is integral, flat and surjective. Flatness implies that generalizations lift along $p$, see Morphisms, Lemma 29.25.9. Hence generic points of irreducible components of $X_{\overline{k}}$ map to generic points of irreducible components of $X$. Integrality implies that $p$ is universally closed, see Morphisms, Lemma 29.44.7. Hence we conclude that the image $p(\overline{T})$ of an irreducible component is a closed irreducible subset which contains a generic point of an irreducible component of $X$, hence $p(\overline{T})$ is an irreducible component of $X$. This proves the first assertion. If $T \subset X$ is an irreducible component, then $p^{-1}(T) =T_ K$ is a nonempty union of irreducible components, see Lemma 33.8.9. Each of these necessarily maps onto $T$ by the first part. Hence the map is surjective. $\square$

## Comments (2)

Comment #7105 by WhatJiaranEatsTonight on

I think here should be the closure of the image of $\overline T$ is an irreducible component?

Comment #7268 by on

If you trace back the references all the way to the proof of Lemma 5.8.15 you see that the bijection between the irreducible components of $X_{\overline{k}}$ and $X$ is by taking images and similarly for $X_{\overline{K}}$ and $X_K$. Then in the second paragraph, the images of irreducible components are closed. So closure isn't necessary.

There are also:

• 2 comment(s) on Section 33.8: Geometrically irreducible schemes

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