The Stacks project

15.11 Henselian pairs

Some of the results of Section 15.9 may be viewed as results about henselian pairs. In this section a pair is a pair $(A, I)$ where $A$ is a ring and $I \subset A$ is an ideal. A morphism of pairs $(A, I) \to (B, J)$ is a ring map $\varphi : A \to B$ with $\varphi (I) \subset J$. As in Section 15.9 given an object $\xi $ over $A$ we denote $\overline{\xi }$ the “base change” of $\xi $ to an object over $A/I$ (provided this makes sense).

Definition 15.11.1. A henselian pair is a pair $(A, I)$ satisfying

  1. $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$, and

  2. for any monic polynomial $f \in A[T]$ and factorization $\overline{f} = g_0h_0$ with $g_0, h_0 \in A/I[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A/I[T]$, there exists a factorization $f = gh$ in $A[T]$ with $g, h$ monic and $g_0 = \overline{g}$ and $h_0 = \overline{h}$.

Observe that if $A$ is a local ring and $I = \mathfrak m$ is the maximal ideal, then $(A, I)$ is a henselian pair if and only if $A$ is a henselian local ring, see Algebra, Lemma 10.153.3. In Lemma 15.11.6 we give a number of equivalent characterizations of henselian pairs (and we will add more as time goes on).

Lemma 15.11.2. Let $(A, I)$ be a pair with $I$ locally nilpotent. Then the functor $B \mapsto B/IB$ induces an equivalence between the category of étale algebras over $A$ and the category of étale algebras over $A/I$. Moreover, the pair is henselian.

Proof. Essential surjectivity holds by Algebra, Lemma 10.143.10. If $B$, $B'$ are étale over $A$ and $B/IB \to B'/IB'$ is a morphism of $A/I$-algebras, then we can lift this by Algebra, Lemma 10.138.17. Finally, suppose that $f, g : B \to B'$ are two $A$-algebra maps with $f \bmod I = g \bmod I$. Choose an idempotent $e \in B \otimes _ A B$ generating the kernel of the multiplication map $B \otimes _ A B \to B$, see Algebra, Lemmas 10.151.4 and 10.151.3 (to see that étale is unramified). Then $(f \otimes g)(e) \in IB'$. Since $IB'$ is locally nilpotent (Algebra, Lemma 10.32.3) this implies $(f \otimes g)(e) = 0$ by Algebra, Lemma 10.32.6. Thus $f = g$.

It is clear that $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$. Let $f \in A[T]$ be a monic polynomial and let $\overline{f} = g_0h_0$ be a factorization of $\overline{f} = f \bmod I$ with $g_0, h_0 \in A/I[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A/I[T]$. By Lemma 15.9.5 there exists an étale ring map $A \to A'$ which induces an isomorphism $A/I \to A'/IA'$ such that the factorization lifts to a factorization into monic polynomials over $A'$. By the above we have $A = A'$ and the factorization is over $A$. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.3. Let $A = \mathop{\mathrm{lim}}\nolimits A_ n$ where $(A_ n)$ is an inverse system of rings whose transition maps are surjective and have locally nilpotent kernels. Then $(A, I_ n)$ is a henselian pair, where $I_ n = \mathop{\mathrm{Ker}}(A \to A_ n)$.

Proof. Fix $n$. Let $a \in A$ be an element which maps to $1$ in $A_ n$. By Algebra, Lemma 10.32.4 we see that $a$ maps to a unit in $A_ m$ for all $m \geq n$. Hence $a$ is a unit in $A$. Thus by Algebra, Lemma 10.19.1 the ideal $I_ n$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$. Let $f \in A[T]$ be a monic polynomial and let $\overline{f} = g_ nh_ n$ be a factorization of $\overline{f} = f \bmod I_ n$ with $g_ n, h_ n \in A_ n[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A_ n[T]$. By Lemma 15.11.2 we can successively lift this factorization to $f \bmod I_ m = g_ m h_ m$ with $g_ m, h_ m$ monic in $A_ m[T]$ for all $m \geq n$. At each step we have to verify that our lifts $g_ m, h_ m$ generate the unit ideal in $A_ n[T]$; this follows from the corresponding fact for $g_ n, h_ n$ and the fact that $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A_ n[T]) = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A_ m[T])$ because the kernel of $A_ m \to A_ n$ is locally nilpotent. As $A = \mathop{\mathrm{lim}}\nolimits A_ m$ this finishes the proof. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.4. Let $(A, I)$ be a pair. If $A$ is $I$-adically complete, then the pair is henselian.

Proof. By Algebra, Lemma 10.96.6 the ideal $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$. Let $f \in A[T]$ be a monic polynomial and let $\overline{f} = g_0h_0$ be a factorization of $\overline{f} = f \bmod I$ with $g_0, h_0 \in A/I[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A/I[T]$. By Lemma 15.11.2 we can successively lift this factorization to $f \bmod I^ n = g_ n h_ n$ with $g_ n, h_ n$ monic in $A/I^ n[T]$ for all $n \geq 1$. As $A = \mathop{\mathrm{lim}}\nolimits A/I^ n$ this finishes the proof. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.5. Let $(A, I)$ be a pair. Let $A \to B$ be a finite type ring map such that $B/IB = C_1 \times C_2$ with $A/I \to C_1$ finite. Let $B'$ be the integral closure of $A$ in $B$. Then we can write $B'/IB' = C_1 \times C'_2$ such that the map $B'/IB' \to B/IB$ preserves product decompositions and there exists a $g \in B'$ mapping to $(1, 0)$ in $C_1 \times C'_2$ with $B'_ g \to B_ g$ an isomorphism.

Proof. Observe that $A \to B$ is quasi-finite at every prime of the closed subset $T = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(C_1) \subset \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B)$ (this follows by looking at fibre rings, see Algebra, Definition 10.122.3). Consider the diagram of topological spaces

\[ \xymatrix{ \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B) \ar[rr]_\phi \ar[rd]_\psi & & \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B') \ar[ld]^{\psi '} \\ & \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A) } \]

By Algebra, Theorem 10.123.12 for every $\mathfrak p \in T$ there is a $h_\mathfrak p \in B'$, $h_\mathfrak p \not\in \mathfrak p$ such that $B'_ h \to B_ h$ is an isomorphism. The union $U = \bigcup D(h_\mathfrak p)$ gives an open $U \subset \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B')$ such that $\phi ^{-1}(U) \to U$ is a homeomorphism and $T \subset \phi ^{-1}(U)$. Since $T$ is open in $\psi ^{-1}(V(I))$ we conclude that $\phi (T)$ is open in $U \cap (\psi ')^{-1}(V(I))$. Thus $\phi (T)$ is open in $(\psi ')^{-1}(V(I))$. On the other hand, since $C_1$ is finite over $A/I$ it is finite over $B'$. Hence $\phi (T)$ is a closed subset of $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B')$ by Algebra, Lemmas 10.41.6 and 10.36.22. We conclude that $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B'/IB') \supset \phi (T)$ is open and closed. By Algebra, Lemma 10.24.3 we get a corresponding product decomposition $B'/IB' = C'_1 \times C'_2$. The map $B'/IB' \to B/IB$ maps $C'_1$ into $C_1$ and $C'_2$ into $C_2$ as one sees by looking at what happens on spectra (hint: the inverse image of $\phi (T)$ is exactly $T$; some details omitted). Pick a $g \in B'$ mapping to $(1, 0)$ in $C'_1 \times C'_2$ such that $D(g) \subset U$; this is possible because $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(C'_1)$ and $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(C'_2)$ are disjoint and closed in $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B')$ and $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(C'_1)$ is contained in $U$. Then $B'_ g \to B_ g$ defines a homeomorphism on spectra and an isomorphism on local rings (by our choice of $U$ above). Hence it is an isomorphism, as follows for example from Algebra, Lemma 10.23.1. Finally, it follows that $C'_1 = C_1$ and the proof is complete. $\square$

reference

Lemma 15.11.6. Let $(A, I)$ be a pair. The following are equivalent

  1. $(A, I)$ is a henselian pair,

  2. given an étale ring map $A \to A'$ and an $A$-algebra map $\sigma : A' \to A/I$, there exists an $A$-algebra map $A' \to A$ lifting $\sigma $,

  3. for any finite $A$-algebra $B$ the map $B \to B/IB$ induces a bijection on idempotents,

  4. for any integral $A$-algebra $B$ the map $B \to B/IB$ induces a bijection on idempotents, and

  5. (Gabber) $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$ and every monic polynomial $f(T) \in A[T]$ of the form

    \[ f(T) = T^ n(T - 1) + a_ n T^ n + \ldots + a_1 T + a_0 \]

    with $a_ n, \ldots , a_0 \in I$ and $n \ge 1$ has a root $\alpha \in 1 + I$.

Moreover, in part (5) the root is unique.

Proof. Assume (2) holds. Then $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$, since otherwise there would be a nonunit $f \in A$ congruent to $1$ modulo $I$ and the map $A \to A_ f$ would contradict (2). Hence $IB \subset B$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $B$ for $B$ integral over $A$ because $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(B) \to \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A)$ is closed by Algebra, Lemmas 10.41.6 and 10.36.22. Thus the map from idempotents of $B$ to idempotents of $B/IB$ is injective by Lemma 15.10.2. On the other hand, since (2) holds, every idempotent of $B/IB$ lifts to an idempotent of $B$ by Lemma 15.9.10. In this way we see that (2) implies (4).

The implication (4) $\Rightarrow $ (3) is trivial.

Assume (3). Let $\mathfrak m$ be a maximal ideal and consider the finite map $A \to B = A/(I \cap \mathfrak m)$. The condition that $B \to B/IB$ induces a bijection on idempotents implies that $I \subset \mathfrak m$ (if not, then $B = A/I \times A/\mathfrak m$ and $B/IB = A/I$). Thus we see that $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$. Let $f \in A[T]$ be monic and suppose given a factorization $\overline{f} = g_0h_0$ with $g_0, h_0 \in A/I[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A/I[T]$. Set $B = A[T]/(f)$. Let $\overline{e}$ be the idempotent of $B/IB$ corresponding to the decomposition

\[ B/IB = A/I[T]/(g_0) \times A/I[T]/(h_0) \]

of $A$-algebras. Let $e \in B$ be an idempotent lifting $\overline{e}$ which exists as we assumed (3). This gives a product decomposition

\[ B = eB \times (1 - e)B \]

Note that $B$ is free of rank $\deg (f)$ as an $A$-module. Hence $eB$ and $(1 - e)B$ are finite locally free $A$-modules. However, since $eB$ and $(1 - e)B$ have constant rank $\deg (g_0)$ and $\deg (h_0)$ over $A/I$ we find that the same is true over $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A)$. We conclude that

\begin{align*} f & = \text{CharPol}_ A(T : B \to B) \\ & = \text{CharPol}_ A(T : eB \to eB) \text{CharPol}_ A(T : (1 - e)B \to (1 - e)B) \end{align*}

is a factorization into monic polynomials reducing to the given factorization modulo $I$. Here $\text{CharPol}_ A$ denotes the characteristic polynomial of an endomorphism of a finite locally free module over $A$. If the module is free the $\text{CharPol}_ A$ is defined as the characteristic polynomial of the corresponding matrix and in general one uses Algebra, Lemma 10.24.2 to glue. Details omitted. Thus (3) implies (1).

Assume (1). Let $f$ be as in (5). The factorization of $f \bmod I$ as $T^ n$ times $T - 1$ lifts to a factorization $f = gh$ with $g$ and $h$ monic by Definition 15.11.1. Then $h$ has to have degree $1$ and we see that $f$ has a root reducing to $1$ modulo $1$. Finally, $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical by the definition of a henselian pair. Thus (1) implies (5).

Before we give the proof of the last step, let us show that the root $\alpha $ in (5), if it exists, is unique. Namely, Due to the explicit shape of $f(T)$, we have $f'(\alpha ) \in 1 + I$ where $f'$ is the derivative of $f$ with respect to $T$. An elementary argument shows that

\[ f(T) = f(\alpha + T - \alpha ) = f(\alpha ) + f'(\alpha ) \cdot (T - \alpha ) \bmod (T - \alpha )^2 A[T] \]

This shows that any other root $\alpha ' \in 1 + I$ of $f(T)$ satisfies $0 = f(\alpha ') - f(\alpha ) = (\alpha ' - \alpha )(1 + i)$ for some $i \in I$, so that, since $1 + i$ is a unit in $A$, we have $\alpha = \alpha '$.

Assume (5). We will show that (2) holds, in other words, that for every étale map $A \to A'$, every section $\sigma : A' \to A/I$ modulo $I$ lifts to a section $A' \to A$. Since $A \to A'$ is étale, the section $\sigma $ determines a decomposition

15.11.6.1
\begin{equation} \label{more-algebra-equation-GCHP} A'/IA' \cong A/I \times C \end{equation}

of $A/I$-algebras. Namely, the surjective ring map $A'/IA' \to A/I$ is étale by Algebra, Lemma 10.143.8 and then we get the desired idempotent by Algebra, Lemma 10.143.9. We will show that this decomposition lifts to a decomposition

15.11.6.2
\begin{equation} \label{more-algebra-equation-GCHP-want} A' \cong A'_1 \times A'_2 \end{equation}

of $A$-algebras with $A'_1$ integral over $A$. Then $A \to A'_1$ is integral and étale and $A/I \to A'_1/IA'_1$ is an isomorphism, thus $A \to A'_1$ is an isomorphism by Lemma 15.10.3 (here we also use that an étale ring map is flat and of finite presentation, see Algebra, Lemma 10.143.3).

Let $B'$ be the integral closure of $A$ in $A'$. By Lemma 15.11.5 we may decompose

15.11.6.3
\begin{equation} \label{more-algebra-equation-dec-mod-I} B'/IB' \cong A/I \times C' \end{equation}

as $A/I$-algebras compatibly with (15.11.6.1) and we may find $b \in B'$ that lifts $(1, 0)$ such that $B'_ b \to A'_ b$ is an isomorphism. If the decomposition (15.11.6.3) lifts to a decomposition

15.11.6.4
\begin{equation} \label{more-algebra-equation-want-2} B' \cong B'_1 \times B'_2 \end{equation}

of $A$-algebras, then the induced decomposition $A' = A'_1 \times A'_2$ will give the desired (15.11.6.2): indeed, since $b$ is a unit in $B'_1$ (details omitted), we will have $B'_1 \cong A'_1$, so that $A'_1$ will be integral over $A$.

Choose a finite $A$-subalgebra $B'' \subset B'$ containing $b$ (observe that any finitely generated $A$-subalgebra of $B'$ is finite over $A$). After enlarging $B''$ we may assume $b$ maps to an idempotent in $B''/IB''$ producing

15.11.6.5
\begin{equation} \label{more-algebra-equation-again-dec-mod-I} B''/IB'' \cong C''_1 \times C''_2 \end{equation}

Since $B'_ b \cong A'_ b$ we see that $B'_ b$ is of finite type over $A$. Say $B'_ b$ is generated by $b_1/b^ n, \ldots , b_ t/b^ n$ over $A$ and enlarge $B''$ so that $b_1, \ldots , b_ t \in B''$. Then $B''_ b \to B'_ b$ is surjective as well as injective, hence an isomorphism. In particular, we see that $C''_1 = A/I$! Therefore $A/I \to C''_1$ is an isomorphism, in particular surjective. By Lemma 15.10.4 we can find an $f(T) \in A[T]$ of the form

\[ f(T) = T^ n(T - 1) + a_ n T^ n + \ldots + a_1 T + a_0 \]

with $a_ n, \ldots , a_0 \in I$ and $n \ge 1$ such that $f(b) = 0$. In particular, we find that $B'$ is a $A[T]/(f)$-algebra. By (5) we deduce there is a root $a \in 1 + I$ of $f$. This produces a product decomposition $A[T]/(f) = A[T]/(T - a) \times D$ compatible with the splitting (15.11.6.3) of $B'/IB'$. The induced splitting of $B'$ is then a desired (15.11.6.4). $\square$

Lemma 15.11.7. Let $A$ be a ring. Let $I, J \subset A$ be ideals with $V(I) = V(J)$. Then $(A, I)$ is henselian if and only if $(A, J)$ is henselian.

Proof. For any integral ring map $A \to B$ we see that $V(IB) = V(JB)$. Hence idempotents of $B/IB$ and $B/JB$ are in bijective correspondence (Algebra, Lemma 10.21.3). It follows that $B \to B/IB$ induces a bijection on sets of idempotents if and only if $B \to B/JB$ induces a bijection on sets of idempotents. Thus we conclude by Lemma 15.11.6. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.8. Let $(A, I)$ be a henselian pair and let $A \to B$ be an integral ring map. Then $(B, IB)$ is a henselian pair.

Proof. Immediate from the fourth characterization of henselian pairs in Lemma 15.11.6 and the fact that the composition of integral ring maps is integral. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.9. Let $I \subset J \subset A$ be ideals of a ring $A$. The following are equivalent

  1. $(A, I)$ and $(A/I, J/I)$ are henselian pairs, and

  2. $(A, J)$ is an henselian pair.

Proof. Assume (1). Let $B$ be an integral $A$-algebra. Consider the ring maps

\[ B \to B/IB \to B/JB \]

By Lemma 15.11.6 we find that both arrows induce bijections on idempotents. Hence so does the composition. Whence $(A, J)$ is a henselian pair by Lemma 15.11.6.

Conversely, assume (2) holds. Then $(A/I, J/I)$ is a henselian pair by Lemma 15.11.8. Let $B$ be an integral $A$-algebra. Consider the ring maps

\[ B \to B/IB \to B/JB \]

By Lemma 15.11.6 we find that the composition and the second arrow induce bijections on idempotents. Hence so does the first arrow. It follows that $(A, I)$ is a henselian pair (by the lemma again). $\square$

Lemma 15.11.10. Let $A$ be a ring and let $(A, I)$ and $(A, I')$ be henselian pairs. Then $(A, I + I')$ is an henselian pair.

Proof. By Lemma 15.11.8 the pair $(A/I, (I' + I)/I)$ is henselian. Thus we get the conclusion from Lemma 15.11.9. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.11. Let $J$ be a set and let $\{ (A_ j, I_ j)\} _{j \in J}$ be a collection of pairs. Then $(\prod _{j \in J} A_ j, \prod _{j\in J} I_ j)$ is Henselian if and only if so is each $(A_ j, I_ j)$.

Proof. For every $j \in J$, the projection $\prod _{j \in J} A_ j \rightarrow A_ j$ is an integral ring map, so Lemma 15.11.8 proves that each $(A_ j, I_ j)$ is Henselian if $(\prod _{j \in J} A_ j, \prod _{j\in J} I_ j)$ is Henselian.

Conversely, suppose that each $(A_ j, I_ j)$ is a Henselian pair. Then every $1 + x$ with $x \in \prod _{j \in J} I_ j$ is a unit in $\prod _{j \in J} A_ j$ because it is so componentwise by Algebra, Lemma 10.19.1 and Definition 15.11.1. Thus, by Algebra, Lemma 10.19.1 again, $\prod _{j \in J} I_ j$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $\prod _{j \in J} A_ j$. Continuing to work componentwise, it likewise follows that for every monic $f \in (\prod _{j \in J} A_ j)[T]$ and every factorization $\overline{f} = g_0h_0$ with monic $g_0, h_0 \in (\prod _{j \in J} A_ j / \prod _{j \in J} I_ j)[T] = (\prod _{j \in J} A_ j/I_ j)[T]$ that generate the unit ideal in $(\prod _{j \in J} A_ j / \prod _{j \in J} I_ j)[T]$, there exists a factorization $f = gh$ in $(\prod _{j \in J} A_ j)[T]$ with $g$, $h$ monic and reducing to $g_0$, $h_0$. In conclusion, according to Definition 15.11.1 $(\prod _{j \in J} A_ j, \prod _{j\in J} I_ j)$ is a Henselian pair. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.12. The property of being Henselian is preserved under limits of pairs. More precisely, let $J$ be a preordered set and let $(A_ j, I_ j)$ be an inverse system of henselian pairs over $J$. Then $A = \mathop{\mathrm{lim}}\nolimits A_ j$ equipped with the ideal $I = \mathop{\mathrm{lim}}\nolimits I_ j$ is a henselian pair $(A, I)$.

Proof. By Categories, Lemma 4.14.11, we only need to consider products and equalizers. For products, the claim follows from Lemma 15.11.11. Thus, consider an equalizer diagram

\[ \xymatrix{ (A, I) \ar[r] & (A', I') \ar@<1ex>[r]^{\varphi } \ar@<-1ex>[r]_{\psi } & (A'', I'') } \]

in which the pairs $(A', I')$ and $(A'', I'')$ are henselian. To check that the pair $(A, I)$ is also henselian, we will use the Gabber's criterion in Lemma 15.11.6. Every element of $1 + I$ is a unit in $A$ because, due to the uniqueness of the inverses of units, this may be checked in $(A', I')$. Thus $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$, see Algebra, Lemma 10.19.1. Thus, let

\[ f(T) = T^{N - 1}(T - 1) + a_{N - 1} T^{N - 1} + \dotsb + a_1 T + a_0 \]

be a polynomial in $A[T]$ with $a_{N - 1}, \dotsc , a_0 \in I$ and $N \ge 1$. The image of $f(T)$ in $A'[T]$ has a unique root $\alpha ' \in 1 + I'$ and likewise for the further image in $A''[T]$. Thus, due to the uniqueness, $\varphi (\alpha ') = \psi (\alpha ')$, to the effect that $\alpha '$ defines a root of $f(T)$ in $1 + I$, as desired. $\square$

Lemma 15.11.13. The property of being Henselian is preserved under filtered colimits of pairs. More precisely, let $J$ be a directed set and let $(A_ j, I_ j)$ be a system of henselian pairs over $J$. Then $A = \mathop{\mathrm{colim}}\nolimits A_ j$ equipped with the ideal $I = \mathop{\mathrm{colim}}\nolimits I_ j$ is a henselian pair $(A, I)$.

Proof. If $u \in 1 + I$ then for some $j \in J$ we see that $u$ is the image of some $u_ j \in 1 + I_ j$. Then $u_ j$ is invertible in $A_ j$ by Algebra, Lemma 10.19.1 and the assumption that $I_ j$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A_ j$. Hence $u$ is invertible in $A$. Thus $I$ is contained in the Jacobson radical of $A$ (by the lemma).

Let $f \in A[T]$ be a monic polynomial and let $\overline{f} = g_0 h_0$ be a factorization with $g_0, h_0 \in A/I[T]$ monic generating the unit ideal in $A/I[T]$. Write $1 = g_0 g'_0 + h_0 h'_0$ for some $g'_0, h'_0 \in A/I[T]$. Since $A = \mathop{\mathrm{colim}}\nolimits A_ j$ and $A/I = \mathop{\mathrm{colim}}\nolimits A_ j/I_ j$ are filtered colimits we can find a $j \in J$ and $f_ j \in A_ j$ and a factorization $\overline{f}_ j = g_{j, 0} h_{j, 0}$ with $g_{j, 0}, h_{j, 0} \in A_ j/I_ j[T]$ monic and $1 = g_{j, 0} g'_{j, 0} + h_{j, 0} h'_{j, 0}$ for some $g'_{j, 0}, h'_{j, 0} \in A_ j/I_ j[T]$ with $f_ j, g_{j, 0}, h_{j, 0}, g'_{j, 0}, h'_{j, 0}$ mapping to $f, g_0, h_0, g'_0, h'_0$. Since $(A_ j, I_ j)$ is a henselian pair, we can lift $\overline{f}_ j = g_{j, 0} h_{j, 0}$ to a factorization over $A_ j$ and taking the image in $A$ we obtain a corresponding factorization in $A$. Hence $(A, I)$ is henselian. $\square$

Example 15.11.14 (Moret-Bailly). Lemma 15.11.13 is wrong if the colimit isn't filtered. For example, if we take the coproduct of the henselian pairs $(\mathbf{Z}_ p, (p))$ and $(\mathbf{Z}_ p, (p))$, then we obtain $(A, pA)$ with $A = \mathbf{Z}_ p \otimes _\mathbf {Z} \mathbf{Z}_ p$. This isn't a henselian pair: $A/pA = \mathbf{F}_ p$ hence if $(A, pA)$ where henselian, then $A$ would have to be local. However, $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A)$ is disconnected; for example for odd primes $p$ we have the nontrivial idempotent

\[ (1/2 \otimes 1) \left(1 \otimes 1 - (1 + p)^{-1}u \otimes u\right) \]

where $u \in \mathbf{Z}_ p$ is a square root of $1 + p$. Some details omitted.

Lemma 15.11.15. Let $A$ be a ring. There exists a largest ideal $I \subset A$ such that $(A, I)$ is a henselian pair.

Lemma 15.11.16. Let $(A, I)$ be a henselian pair. Let $\mathfrak p \subset A$ be a prime ideal. Then $V(\mathfrak p + I)$ is connected.

Proof. By Lemma 15.11.8 we see that $(A/\mathfrak p, I + \mathfrak p/\mathfrak p)$ is a henselian pair. Thus it suffices to prove: If $(A, I)$ is a henselian pair and $A$ is a domain, then $\mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A/I) = V(I)$ is connected. If not, then $A/I$ has a nontrivial idempotent by Algebra, Lemma 10.21.4. By Lemma 15.11.6 this would imply $A$ has a nontrivial idempotent. This is a contradiction. $\square$


Comments (6)

Comment #2997 by Peng Du on

In Lemma 15.10.11 (1), the pair (J/I, A/I) should be written as (A/I, J/I).

Comment #3120 by on

Already got fixed. Please leave comment on a lemma on the page of the lemma. Somebody else already left the comment there...

Comment #8770 by Hadi Hedayatzadeh on

Hi. I think it is worth adding the following result in this section or in the smooth ring maps section (I couldn't find it elsewhere).

Let be a ring and a smooth -algebra. Assume that is an -algebra and is a henselian pair. Then the homomorphism is surjective.

Proof. This follows from Lemma 00T4, Lemma 09XI and Lemma 07M7.

Of course it can be stated in the style that is written here. I also suggest the slogan "smooth algebras have the lifting property for henselian pairs".

Comment #8861 by Manuel Hoff on

It seems to me that Lemma 0ALJ and Lemma 0CT7 both are special cases of Lemma 0DC7. Also the proofs of all three lemmas are quite similar, they all reduce to Lemma 0ALI.

Comment #9227 by on

@#8770: OK, thanks. I added this here.

@#8861: Yes, this is more or less a historical artifact. (I think there is a typo in your comment because Lemma 85.23.3 does not seem related). There is also Lemma 15.93.10. Since these lemmas aren't wrong, I think I am going to leave them as they are now. But we could move some of them to the obsolete chapter, I guess. Let's see if others chime in.

Comment #9821 by on

Hello! I found your article very informative and read it with great interest. I discovered this blog only recently and I am glad I did. I will definitely read more articles. Congratulations on the blog and regards!


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