Approximation of elements in Henselizations (Q644984)

Let \(v\) be a Krull valuation of a field \(K\) of arbitrary rank and \(K^{h}\) be the henselization of \((K,v).\) The author gives an elegant description of how elements in \(K^{h} \smallsetminus K\) can be approximated from within \(K,\) thereby generalizing the well known fact that in case \(v\) has rank one, then \(K\) is dense in \(K^{h}.\) Further this description is used to show that if an element \(z\) algebraic over \(K\) satisfies the property that \(v(a-z)>v(a-c)\) for every \(c \in K\) and for some \(a \in K^{h},\) then \(K^{h}\) and \(K(z)\) are not linearly disjoint over \(K.\) This result has a crucial application to the classification of Artin-Schreier extensions with non-trivial defect cf. [Ill. J. Math. 54, No. 2, 397--448 (2010; Zbl 1234.12007)].