Definition 76.12.1. Let i : Z \to X be an immersion of algebraic spaces. The first order infinitesimal neighbourhood of Z in X is the first order thickening Z \subset Z' over X described above.
76.12 First order infinitesimal neighbourhood
A natural construction of first order thickenings is the following. Suppose that i : Z \to X be an immersion of algebraic spaces. Choose an open subspace U \subset X such that i identifies Z with a closed subspace Z \subset U (see Morphisms of Spaces, Remark 67.12.4). Let \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ U be the quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals defining Z in U, see Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 67.13.1. Then we can consider the closed subspace Z' \subset U defined by the quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals \mathcal{I}^2.
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 76.12.2. Let i : Z \to X be an immersion of algebraic spaces. The first order infinitesimal neighbourhood Z' of Z in X has the following universal property: Given any commutative diagram
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 subspace used in the construction of Z', i.e., an open such that Z is identified with a closed subspace 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, see Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.4.9. Let \mathcal{J} \subset \mathcal{O}_{T'} be the square zero quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals cutting out T. By the commutativity of the diagram we have b|_ T = i \circ a where i : Z \to U is the closed immersion. We conclude that b^\sharp (b^{-1}\mathcal{I}) \subset \mathcal{J} by Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 67.13.1. 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 Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 67.13.1 this implies that b factors through Z'. Letting a' : T' \to Z' be this factorization we win. \square
Lemma 76.12.3. Let i : Z \to X be an immersion of algebraic spaces. Let Z \subset Z' be the first order infinitesimal neighbourhood of Z in X. Then the diagram
induces a map of conormal sheaves \mathcal{C}_{Z/X} \to \mathcal{C}_{Z/Z'} by Lemma 76.5.3. This map is an isomorphism.
Proof. This is clear from the construction of Z' above. \square
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