\(R\)-equivalence of \(G\)-coverings over non-Archimedean local fields (Q5960976)

The author investigates \(R\)-equivalence in the case of a finite group \(G\) over a local field \(K\) whose characteristic does not divide the order of \(G\). Here, \(R\)-equivalence is the equivalence relation on the pointed Galois cohomology \(H^1(K,G)\) generated by elementary \(R\)-equivalence, which means that for two torsors \(X_0\) and \(X_1\) there is an open subset \(U\subseteq \mathbb{A}_K^1\) and a \(G\)-torsor \(X\) on \(U\) such that the \(X_i\) are isomorphic to the fibres of \(X\) over two points in \(U\). The main result is that under these assumptions the relation is trivial, i.e. all \(G\)-torsors are \(R\)-equivalent. The proof reduces the problem to the case where \(G\) is an extension of two cyclic groups, using the ramification theory of local fields. Since all multiplicative groups splitting over a cyclic extension are elementarily \(R\)-equivalent, the theorem holds. In a subsequent paper of \textit{L. Moret-Bailly} [J. Number Theory 91, No.2, 293--296 (2001; Zbl 1076.14531)], it is investigated whether any two \(G\)-torsors are already elementarily \(R\)-equivalent.