Semi-factorial models and Néron models (Q1934304)

Let \(S\) be a trait, i.e., the spectrum of a discrete valuation ring. Let \(K\) be its fraction field. The paper is devoted to semi-factorial schemes: schemes \(X\) over \(S\) such that invertible sheaves on \(X_{K}\) may be extended to \(X\). The author proves that any proper geometrically normal scheme \(X_{K}\) over \(K\) admits a proper flat normal semi-factorial model \(X\) over \(S\). There are also refined versions of the result: one may require that \(X\) remains normal and semi-factorial after base change to ``admissible'' traits over \(S\) (for instance, to a strict henselization of \(S\)). The proof relies on the platification techniques of [\textit{M. Raynaud} and \textit{L. Gruson}, Invent. Math. 13, 1--89 (1971; Zbl 0227.14010)]. The overall strategy is nicely presented in section 3, starting with the case where a universal line bundle exists and then explaining how to overcome the various technical issues. Later in the text, the author proves some variants of its main result: over global bases \(S\) of dimension 1 (see section 7), or for non-normal schemes \(X_{K}\) (see section 8). In section 6, the theorem is used to prove that a regular scheme \(X\) over \(S\) whose generic fiber \(X_{K}\) is proper and geometrically normal may be compactified by a flat normal semi-factorial scheme. In particular, this applies to the Néron model of an abelian variety \(A_{K}\) in the case where \(K\) is a function field. Note that no hypothesis on the reduction of \(A_{K}\) is required. In section 9, the author investigates the Néron model \(A\) of the Picard variety \(A_{K} = \mathrm{Pic}^0_{X_{K}/K, \mathrm{red}}\), where \(X_{K}\) is a proper geometrically normal geometrically connected scheme over a function field \(K\). Let \(X\) be a proper flat model of \(X_{K}\) over \(S\) that is semi-factorial over a strict henselization of \(S\). The problem of describing \(A\) using \(\mathrm{Pic}_{X/S}\) is closely related to the previous questions since the semi-factoriality property for a scheme \(X\) over \(S\) corresponds to the Néron property of its Picard functor. Under suitable hypotheses, on can compute the Néron model \(A\) as in the case of curves (see [\textit{M. Raynaud}, Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 38, 27--76 (1970; Zbl 0207.51602)] or [\textit{S. Bosch, W. Lütkebohmert} and \textit{M. Raynaud}, Néron models. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag (1990; Zbl 0705.14001)]): consider the schematic closure \(P\) (resp. \(E\)) of \(A_{K}\) (resp. the unit section of \(\mathrm{Pic}_{X_{K}/K}\)) in \(\mathrm{Pic}_{X/S}\) and lissify the quotient \(P/E\).