## 89.3 The base category

Motivation. An important application of formal deformation theory is to criteria for representability by algebraic spaces. Suppose given a locally Noetherian base $S$ and a functor $F : (\mathit{Sch}/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$. Let $k$ be a finite type field over $S$, i.e., we are given a finite type morphism $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(k) \to S$. One of Artin's criteria is that for any element $x \in F(\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(k))$ the predeformation functor associated to the triple $(S, k, x)$ should be prorepresentable. By Morphisms, Lemma 29.16.1 the condition that $k$ is of finite type over $S$ means that there exists an affine open $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(\Lambda ) \subset S$ such that $k$ is a finite $\Lambda$-algebra. This motivates why we work throughout this chapter with a base category as follows.

Definition 89.3.1. Let $\Lambda$ be a Noetherian ring and let $\Lambda \to k$ be a finite ring map where $k$ is a field. We define $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ to be the category with

1. objects are pairs $(A, \varphi )$ where $A$ is an Artinian local $\Lambda$-algebra and where $\varphi : A/\mathfrak m_ A \to k$ is a $\Lambda$-algebra isomorphism, and

2. morphisms $f : (B, \psi ) \to (A, \varphi )$ are local $\Lambda$-algebra homomorphisms such that $\varphi \circ (f \bmod \mathfrak m) = \psi$.

We say we are in the classical case if $\Lambda$ is a Noetherian complete local ring and $k$ is its residue field.

Note that if $\Lambda \to k$ is surjective and if $A$ is an Artinian local $\Lambda$-algebra, then the identification $\varphi$, if it exists, is unique. Moreover, in this case any $\Lambda$-algebra map $A \to B$ is going to be compatible with the identifications. Hence in this case $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ is just the category of local Artinian $\Lambda$-algebras whose residue field “is” $k$. By abuse of notation we also denote objects of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ simply $A$ in the general case. Moreover, we will often write $A/\mathfrak m = k$, i.e., we will pretend all rings in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ have residue field $k$ (since all ring maps in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ are compatible with the given identifications this should never cause any problems). Throughout the rest of this chapter the base ring $\Lambda$ and the field $k$ are fixed. The category $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ will be the base category for the cofibered categories considered below.

Definition 89.3.2. Let $f: B \to A$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. We say $f$ is a small extension if it is surjective and $\mathop{\mathrm{Ker}}(f)$ is a nonzero principal ideal which is annihilated by $\mathfrak {m}_ B$.

By the following lemma we can often reduce arguments involving surjective ring maps in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ to the case of small extensions.

Lemma 89.3.3. Let $f: B \to A$ be a surjective ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Then $f$ can be factored as a composition of small extensions.

Proof. Let $I$ be the kernel of $f$. The maximal ideal $\mathfrak {m}_ B$ is nilpotent since $B$ is Artinian, say $\mathfrak {m}_ B^ n = 0$. Hence we get a factorization

$B = B/I\mathfrak {m}_ B^{n-1} \to B/I\mathfrak {m}_ B^{n-2} \to \ldots \to B/I \cong A$

of $f$ into a composition of surjective maps whose kernels are annihilated by the maximal ideal. Thus it suffices to prove the lemma when $f$ itself is such a map, i.e. when $I$ is annihilated by $\mathfrak {m}_ B$. In this case $I$ is a $k$-vector space, which has finite dimension, see Algebra, Lemma 10.53.6. Take a basis $x_1, \ldots , x_ n$ of $I$ as a $k$-vector space to get a factorization

$B \to B/(x_1) \to \ldots \to B/(x_1, \ldots , x_ n) \cong A$

of $f$ into a composition of small extensions. $\square$

The next lemma says that we can compute the length of a module over a local $\Lambda$-algebra with residue field $k$ in terms of the length over $\Lambda$. To explain the notation in the statement, let $k' \subset k$ be the image of our fixed finite ring map $\Lambda \to k$. Note that $k' \subset k$ is a finite extension of rings. Hence $k'$ is a field and $k/k'$ is a finite extension of fields, see Algebra, Lemma 10.36.18. Moreover, as $\Lambda \to k'$ is surjective we see that its kernel is a maximal ideal $\mathfrak m_\Lambda$. Thus

89.3.3.1
$$\label{formal-defos-equation-k-prime} [k : k'] = [k : \Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ] < \infty$$

and in the classical case we have $k = k'$. The notation $k' = \Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda$ will be fixed throughout this chapter.

Lemma 89.3.4. Let $A$ be a local $\Lambda$-algebra with residue field $k$. Let $M$ be an $A$-module. Then $[k : k'] \text{length}_ A(M) = \text{length}_\Lambda (M)$. In the classical case we have $\text{length}_ A(M) = \text{length}_\Lambda (M)$.

Proof. If $M$ is a simple $A$-module then $M \cong k$ as an $A$-module, see Algebra, Lemma 10.52.10. In this case $\text{length}_ A(M) = 1$ and $\text{length}_\Lambda (M) = [k' : k]$, see Algebra, Lemma 10.52.6. If $\text{length}_ A(M)$ is finite, then the result follows on choosing a filtration of $M$ by $A$-submodules with simple quotients using additivity, see Algebra, Lemma 10.52.3. If $\text{length}_ A(M)$ is infinite, the result follows from the obvious inequality $\text{length}_ A(M) \leq \text{length}_\Lambda (M)$. $\square$

Lemma 89.3.5. Let $A \to B$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. The following are equivalent

1. $f$ is surjective,

2. $\mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \to \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2$ is surjective, and

3. $\mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2) \to \mathfrak m_ B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ is surjective.

Proof. For any ring map $f : A \to B$ in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ we have $f(\mathfrak m_ A) \subset \mathfrak m_ B$ for example because $\mathfrak m_ A$, $\mathfrak m_ B$ is the set of nilpotent elements of $A$, $B$. Suppose $f$ is surjective. Let $y \in \mathfrak m_ B$. Choose $x \in A$ with $f(x) = y$. Since $f$ induces an isomorphism $A/\mathfrak m_ A \to B/\mathfrak m_ B$ we see that $x \in \mathfrak m_ A$. Hence the induced map $\mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \to \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2$ is surjective. In this way we see that (1) implies (2).

It is clear that (2) implies (3). The map $A \to B$ gives rise to a canonical commutative diagram

$\xymatrix{ \mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \otimes _{k'} k \ar[r] \ar[d] & \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \ar[r] \ar[d] & \mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2) \ar[r] \ar[d] & 0 \\ \mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \otimes _{k'} k \ar[r] & \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \ar[r] & \mathfrak m_ B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2) \ar[r] & 0 }$

with exact rows. Hence if (3) holds, then so does (2).

Assume (2). To show that $A \to B$ is surjective it suffices by Nakayama's lemma (Algebra, Lemma 10.20.1) to show that $A/\mathfrak m_ A \to B/\mathfrak m_ AB$ is surjective. (Note that $\mathfrak m_ A$ is a nilpotent ideal.) As $k = A/\mathfrak m_ A = B/\mathfrak m_ B$ it suffices to show that $\mathfrak m_ AB \to \mathfrak m_ B$ is surjective. Applying Nakayama's lemma once more we see that it suffices to see that $\mathfrak m_ AB/\mathfrak m_ A\mathfrak m_ B \to \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2$ is surjective which is what we assumed. $\square$

If $A \to B$ is a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$, then the map $\mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2) \to \mathfrak m_ B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ is the map on relative cotangent spaces. Here is a formal definition.

Definition 89.3.6. Let $R \to S$ be a local homomorphism of local rings. The relative cotangent space1 of $R$ over $S$ is the $S/\mathfrak m_ S$-vector space $\mathfrak m_ S/(\mathfrak m_ R S + \mathfrak m_ S^2)$.

If $f_1: A_1 \to A$ and $f_2: A_2 \to A$ are two ring maps, then the fiber product $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is the subring of $A_1 \times A_2$ consisting of elements whose two projections to $A$ are equal. Throughout this chapter we will be considering conditions involving such a fiber product when $f_1$ and $f_2$ are in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. It isn't always the case that the fibre product is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$.

Example 89.3.7. Let $p$ be a prime number and let $n \in \mathbf{N}$. Let $\Lambda = \mathbf{F}_ p(t_1, t_2, \ldots , t_ n)$ and let $k = \mathbf{F}_ p(x_1, \ldots , x_ n)$ with map $\Lambda \to k$ given by $t_ i \mapsto x_ i^ p$. Let $A = k[\epsilon ] = k[x]/(x^2)$. Then $A$ is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Suppose that $D : k \to k$ is a derivation of $k$ over $\Lambda$, for example $D = \partial /\partial x_ i$. Then the map

$f_ D : k \longrightarrow k[\epsilon ], \quad a \mapsto a + D(a)\epsilon$

is a morphism of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Set $A_1 = A_2 = k$ and set $f_1 = f_{\partial /\partial x_1}$ and $f_2(a) = a$. Then $A_1 \times _ A A_2 = \{ a \in k \mid \partial /\partial x_1(a) = 0\}$ which does not surject onto $k$. Hence the fibre product isn't an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$.

It turns out that this problem can only occur if the residue field extension $k/k'$ (89.3.3.1) is inseparable and neither $f_1$ nor $f_2$ is surjective.

Lemma 89.3.8. Let $f_1 : A_1 \to A$ and $f_2 : A_2 \to A$ be ring maps in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Then:

1. If $f_1$ or $f_2$ is surjective, then $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$.

2. If $f_2$ is a small extension, then so is $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1$.

3. If the field extension $k/k'$ is separable, then $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$.

Proof. The ring $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is a $\Lambda$-algebra via the map $\Lambda \to A_1 \times _ A A_2$ induced by the maps $\Lambda \to A_1$ and $\Lambda \to A_2$. It is a local ring with unique maximal ideal

$\mathfrak m_{A_1} \times _{\mathfrak m_ A} \mathfrak m_{A_2} = \mathop{\mathrm{Ker}}(A_1 \times _ A A_2 \longrightarrow k)$

A ring is Artinian if and only if it has finite length as a module over itself, see Algebra, Lemma 10.53.6. Since $A_1$ and $A_2$ are Artinian, Lemma 89.3.4 implies $\text{length}_\Lambda (A_1)$ and $\text{length}_\Lambda (A_2)$, and hence $\text{length}_\Lambda (A_1 \times A_2)$, are all finite. As $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \subset A_1 \times A_2$ is a $\Lambda$-submodule, this implies $\text{length}_{A_1 \times _ A A_2}(A_1 \times _ A A_2) \leq \text{length}_\Lambda (A_1 \times _ A A_2)$ is finite. So $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is Artinian. Thus the only thing that is keeping $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ from being an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ is the possibility that its residue field maps to a proper subfield of $k$ via the map $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A \to A/\mathfrak m_ A = k$ above.

Proof of (1). If $f_2$ is surjective, then the projection $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1$ is surjective. Hence the composition $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1 \to A_1/\mathfrak m_{A_1} = k$ is surjective and we conclude that $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$.

Proof of (2). If $f_2$ is a small extension then $A_2 \to A$ and $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1$ are both surjective with the same kernel. Hence the kernel of $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1$ is a $1$-dimensional $k$-vector space and we see that $A_1 \times _ A A_2 \to A_1$ is a small extension.

Proof of (3). Choose $\overline{x} \in k$ such that $k = k'(\overline{x})$ (see Fields, Lemma 9.19.1). Let $P'(T) \in k'[T]$ be the minimal polynomial of $\overline{x}$ over $k'$. Since $k/k'$ is separable we see that $\text{d}P/\text{d}T(\overline{x}) \not= 0$. Choose a monic $P \in \Lambda [T]$ which maps to $P'$ under the surjective map $\Lambda [T] \to k'[T]$. Because $A, A_1, A_2$ are henselian, see Algebra, Lemma 10.153.10, we can find $x, x_1, x_2 \in A, A_1, A_2$ with $P(x) = 0, P(x_1) = 0, P(x_2) = 0$ and such that the image of $x, x_1, x_2$ in $k$ is $\overline{x}$. Then $(x_1, x_2) \in A_1 \times _ A A_2$ because $x_1, x_2$ map to $x \in A$ by uniqueness, see Algebra, Lemma 10.153.2. Hence the residue field of $A_1 \times _ A A_2$ contains a generator of $k$ over $k'$ and we win. $\square$

Next we define essential surjections in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. A necessary and sufficient condition for a surjection in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ to be essential is given in Lemma 89.3.12.

Definition 89.3.9. Let $f: B \to A$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. We say $f$ is an essential surjection if it has the following properties:

1. $f$ is surjective.

2. If $g: C \to B$ is a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ such that $f \circ g$ is surjective, then $g$ is surjective.

Using Lemma 89.3.5, we can characterize essential surjections in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ as follows.

Lemma 89.3.10. Let $f: B \to A$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. The following are equivalent

1. $f$ is an essential surjection,

2. the map $B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \to A/\mathfrak m_ A^2$ is an essential surjection, and

3. the map $B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2) \to A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ is an essential surjection.

Proof. Assume (3). Let $C \to B$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ such that $C \to A$ is surjective. Then $C \to A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ is surjective too. We conclude that $C \to B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ is surjective by our assumption. Hence $C \to B$ is surjective by applying Lemma 89.3.5 (2 times).

Assume (1). Let $C \to B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ be a morphism of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ such that $C \to A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ is surjective. Set $C' = C \times _{B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)} B$ which is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ by Lemma 89.3.8. Note that $C' \to A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ is still surjective, hence $C' \to A$ is surjective by Lemma 89.3.5. Thus $C' \to B$ is surjective by our assumption. This implies that $C' \to B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ is surjective, which implies by the construction of $C'$ that $C \to B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2)$ is surjective.

In the first paragraph we proved (3) $\Rightarrow$ (1) and in the second paragraph we proved (1) $\Rightarrow$ (3). The equivalence of (2) and (3) is a special case of the equivalence of (1) and (3), hence we are done. $\square$

To analyze essential surjections in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ a bit more we introduce some notation. Suppose that $A$ is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ or more generally any $\Lambda$-algebra equipped with a $\Lambda$-algebra surjection $A \to k$. There is a canonical exact sequence

89.3.10.1
$$\label{formal-defos-equation-sequence} \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \xrightarrow {\text{d}_ A} \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k \to \Omega _{k/\Lambda } \to 0$$

see Algebra, Lemma 10.131.9. Note that $\Omega _{k/\Lambda } = \Omega _{k/k'}$ with $k'$ as in (89.3.3.1). Let $H_1(L_{k/\Lambda })$ be the first homology module of the naive cotangent complex of $k$ over $\Lambda$, see Algebra, Definition 10.134.1. Then we can extend (89.3.10.1) to the exact sequence

89.3.10.2
$$\label{formal-defos-equation-sequence-extended} H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }) \to \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \xrightarrow {\text{d}_ A} \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k \to \Omega _{k/\Lambda } \to 0,$$

see Algebra, Lemma 10.134.4. If $B \to A$ is a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ or more generally a map of $\Lambda$-algebras equipped with $\Lambda$-algebra surjections onto $k$, then we obtain a commutative diagram

89.3.10.3
$$\label{formal-defos-equation-sequence-functorial} \vcenter { \xymatrix{ H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }) \ar[r] \ar@{=}[d] & \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \ar[r]_{\text{d}_ B} \ar[d] & \Omega _{B/\Lambda } \otimes _ B k \ar[r] \ar[d] & \Omega _{k/\Lambda } \ar[r] \ar@{=}[d] & 0 \\ H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }) \ar[r] & \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 \ar[r]^{\text{d}_ A} & \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k \ar[r] & \Omega _{k/\Lambda } \ar[r] & 0 } }$$

with exact rows.

Lemma 89.3.11. There is a canonical map

$\mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \longrightarrow H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }).$

If $k' \subset k$ is separable (for example if the characteristic of $k$ is zero), then this map induces an isomorphism $\mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \otimes _{k'} k = H_1(L_{k/\Lambda })$. If $k = k'$ (for example in the classical case), then $\mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 = H_1(L_{k/\Lambda })$. The composition

$\mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \longrightarrow H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }) \longrightarrow \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2$

comes from the canonical map $\mathfrak m_\Lambda \to \mathfrak m_ A$.

Proof. Note that $H_1(L_{k'/\Lambda }) = \mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2$ as $\Lambda \to k'$ is surjective with kernel $\mathfrak m_\Lambda$. The map arises from functoriality of the naive cotangent complex. If $k' \subset k$ is separable, then $k' \to k$ is an étale ring map, see Algebra, Lemma 10.143.4. Thus its naive cotangent complex has trivial homology groups, see Algebra, Definition 10.143.1. Then Algebra, Lemma 10.134.4 applied to the ring maps $\Lambda \to k' \to k$ implies that $\mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \otimes _{k'} k = H_1(L_{k/\Lambda })$. We omit the proof of the final statement. $\square$

Lemma 89.3.12. Let $f: B \to A$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Notation as in (89.3.10.3).

1. The equivalent conditions of Lemma 89.3.10 characterizing when $f$ is surjective are also equivalent to

1. $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ B) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A)$ is surjective, and

2. the map $\Omega _{B/\Lambda } \otimes _ B k \to \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k$ is surjective.

2. The following are equivalent

1. $f$ is an essential surjection,

2. the map $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ B) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A)$ is an isomorphism, and

3. the map $\Omega _{B/\Lambda } \otimes _ B k \to \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k$ is an isomorphism.

3. If $k/k'$ is separable, then $f$ is an essential surjection if and only if the map $\mathfrak m_ B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2) \to \mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ is an isomorphism.

4. If $f$ is a small extension, then $f$ is not essential if and only if $f$ has a section $s: A \to B$ in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ with $f \circ s = \text{id}_ A$.

Proof. Proof of (1). It follows from (89.3.10.3) that (1)(a) and (1)(b) are equivalent. Also, if $A \to B$ is surjective, then (1)(a) and (1)(b) hold. Assume (1)(a). Since the kernel of $\text{d}_ A$ is the image of $H_1(L_{k/\Lambda })$ which also maps to $\mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2$ we conclude that $\mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \to \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2$ is surjective. Hence $B \to A$ is surjective by Lemma 89.3.5. This finishes the proof of (1).

Proof of (2). The equivalence of (2)(b) and (2)(c) is immediate from (89.3.10.3).

Assume (2)(b). Let $g : C \to B$ be a ring map in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ such that $f \circ g$ is surjective. We conclude that $\mathfrak m_ C/\mathfrak m_ C^2 \to \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2$ is surjective by Lemma 89.3.5. Hence $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ C) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A)$ is surjective and by the assumption we see that $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ C) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ B)$ is surjective. It follows that $C \to B$ is surjective by (1).

Assume (2)(a). Then $f$ is surjective and we see that $\Omega _{B/\Lambda } \otimes _ B k \to \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k$ is surjective. Let $K$ be the kernel. Note that $K = \text{d}_ B(\mathop{\mathrm{Ker}}(\mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \to \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2))$ by (89.3.10.3). Choose a splitting

$\Omega _{B/\Lambda } \otimes _ B k = \Omega _{A/\Lambda } \otimes _ A k \oplus K$

of $k$-vector space. The map $\text{d} : B \to \Omega _{B/\Lambda }$ induces via the projection onto $K$ a map $D : B \to K$. Set $C = \{ b \in B \mid D(b) = 0\}$. The Leibniz rule shows that this is a $\Lambda$-subalgebra of $B$. Let $\overline{x} \in k$. Choose $x \in B$ mapping to $\overline{x}$. If $D(x) \not= 0$, then we can find an element $y \in \mathfrak m_ B$ such that $D(y) = D(x)$. Hence $x - y \in C$ is an element which maps to $\overline{x}$. Thus $C \to k$ is surjective and $C$ is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Similarly, pick $\omega \in \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A)$. We can find $x \in \mathfrak m_ B$ such that $\text{d}_ B(x)$ maps to $\omega$ by (1). If $D(x) \not= 0$, then we can find an element $y \in \mathfrak m_ B$ which maps to zero in $\mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2$ such that $D(y) = D(x)$. Hence $z = x - y$ is an element of $\mathfrak m_ C$ whose image $\text{d}_ C(z) \in \Omega _{C/k} \otimes _ C k$ maps to $\omega$. Hence $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ C) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A)$ is surjective. We conclude that $C \to A$ is surjective by (1). Hence $C \to B$ is surjective by assumption. Hence $D = 0$, i.e., $K = 0$, i.e., (2)(c) holds. This finishes the proof of (2).

Proof of (3). If $k'/k$ is separable, then $H_1(L_{k/\Lambda }) = \mathfrak m_\Lambda /\mathfrak m_\Lambda ^2 \otimes _{k'} k$, see Lemma 89.3.11. Hence $\mathop{\mathrm{Im}}(\text{d}_ A) = \mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$ and similarly for $B$. Thus (3) follows from (2).

Proof of (4). A section $s$ of $f$ is not surjective (by definition a small extension has nontrivial kernel), hence $f$ is not essentially surjective. Conversely, assume $f$ is a small extension but not an essential surjection. Choose a ring map $C \to B$ in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ which is not surjective, such that $C \to A$ is surjective. Let $C' \subset B$ be the image of $C \to B$. Then $C' \not= B$ but $C'$ surjects onto $A$. Since $f : B \to A$ is a small extension, $\text{length}_ C(B) = \text{length}_ C(A) + 1$. Thus $\text{length}_ C(C') \leq \text{length}_ C(A)$ since $C'$ is a proper subring of $B$. But $C' \to A$ is surjective, so in fact we must have $\text{length}_ C(C') = \text{length}_ C(A)$ and $C' \to A$ is an isomorphism which gives us our section. $\square$

Example 89.3.13. Let $\Lambda = k[[x]]$ be the power series ring in $1$ variable over $k$. Set $A = k$ and $B = \Lambda /(x^2)$. Then $B \to A$ is an essential surjection by Lemma 89.3.12 because it is a small extension and the map $B \to A$ does not have a right inverse (in the category $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$). But the map

$k \cong \mathfrak m_ B/\mathfrak m_ B^2 \longrightarrow \mathfrak m_ A/\mathfrak m_ A^2 = 0$

is not an isomorphism. Thus in Lemma 89.3.12 (3) it is necessary to consider the map of relative cotangent spaces $\mathfrak m_ B/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda B + \mathfrak m_ B^2) \to \mathfrak m_ A/(\mathfrak m_\Lambda A + \mathfrak m_ A^2)$.

[1] Caution: We will see later that in our general setting the tangent space of an object $A \in \mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ over $\Lambda$ should not be defined simply as the $k$-linear dual of the relative cotangent space. In fact, the correct definition of the relative cotangent space is $\Omega _{S/R} \otimes _ S S/\mathfrak m_ S$.

Comment #1399 by jojo on

In the third sentence I think it should be "given a locally noetherian base $S$" instead of "given a locally noetherian base change $S$".

Comment #3072 by A. on

Typo just before (81.3.3.1): "$k'/k$" should be "$k/k'$"

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