The Stacks project

37.5 First order infinitesimal neighbourhood

A natural construction of first order thickenings is the following. Suppose that $i : Z \to X$ be an immersion of schemes. Choose an open subscheme $U \subset X$ such that $i$ identifies $Z$ with a closed subscheme $Z \subset U$. Let $\mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ U$ be the quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals defining $Z$ in $U$. Then we can consider the closed subscheme $Z' \subset U$ defined by the quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals $\mathcal{I}^2$.

Definition 37.5.1. Let $i : Z \to X$ be an immersion of schemes. The first order infinitesimal neighbourhood of $Z$ in $X$ is the first order thickening $Z \subset Z'$ over $X$ described above.

This thickening has the following universal property (which will assuage any fears that the construction above depends on the choice of the open $U$).

Lemma 37.5.2. Let $i : Z \to X$ be an immersion of schemes. The first order infinitesimal neighbourhood $Z'$ of $Z$ in $X$ has the following universal property: Given any commutative diagram

\[ \xymatrix{ Z \ar[d]_ i & T \ar[l]^ a \ar[d] \\ X & T' \ar[l]_ b } \]

where $T \subset T'$ is a first order thickening over $X$, there exists a unique morphism $(a', a) : (T \subset T') \to (Z \subset Z')$ of thickenings over $X$.

Proof. Let $U \subset X$ be the open used in the construction of $Z'$, i.e., an open such that $Z$ is identified with a closed subscheme of $U$ cut out by the quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals $\mathcal{I}$. Since $|T| = |T'|$ we see that $b(T') \subset U$. Hence we can think of $b$ as a morphism into $U$. Let $\mathcal{J} \subset \mathcal{O}_{T'}$ be the ideal cutting out $T$. Since $b(T) \subset Z$ by the diagram above we see that $b^\sharp (b^{-1}\mathcal{I}) \subset \mathcal{J}$. As $T'$ is a first order thickening of $T$ we see that $\mathcal{J}^2 = 0$ hence $b^\sharp (b^{-1}(\mathcal{I}^2)) = 0$. By Schemes, Lemma 26.4.6 this implies that $b$ factors through $Z'$. Denote $a' : T' \to Z'$ this factorization and everything is clear. $\square$

Lemma 37.5.3. Let $i : Z \to X$ be an immersion of schemes. Let $Z \subset Z'$ be the first order infinitesimal neighbourhood of $Z$ in $X$. Then the diagram

\[ \xymatrix{ Z \ar[r] \ar[d] & Z' \ar[d] \\ Z \ar[r] & X } \]

induces a map of conormal sheaves $\mathcal{C}_{Z/X} \to \mathcal{C}_{Z/Z'}$ by Morphisms, Lemma 29.31.3. This map is an isomorphism.

Proof. This is clear from the construction of $Z'$ above. $\square$


Comments (2)

Comment #7825 by Federico on

Is there a reason why only the first order infinitesimal neighborhood is defined? What about the order infinitesimal neighborhood? Can this be defined and does it satisfy the same universal property or would something go wrong? I apologise in advance if this comment is not appropriate.

Comment #8053 by on

Yes, you can define these. For example, we use them in Lemma 37.12.3. So hmm I guess we should make a precise definition somewhere and write a little bit about them... Feel free to do some work on this, whoever wants to (suggest to coordinate with me).


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