The \(u\)-invariant of one-dimensional function fields over real power series fields (Q1038682)

Definition. The strong \(u\)-invariant \(u_s(K)\) is the smallest number \(m\in\mathbb R\cup\{\infty\}\) with the following two properties: \(m\geq u(E)\) for every finite extension \(E/K\), and \(2m\geq u(F)\) for every finitely generated extension \(F/K\) of transcendence degree 1. The main result of this paper is: Theorem. Let \(A\) be an excellent Henselian discrete valuation ring with fraction field \(K\) and residue field \(k\) of characteristic \(\neq 2\). Then \(u_s(K)= 2u_s(k)\). This was proved by \textit{D. Harbater}, \textit{J. Hartmann} and \textit{D. Krashen} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 363, No. 6, 3335--3349 (2011; Zbl 1228.12004)] (using the deep method of field patching) in the case where \(k\) is non-real. If \(k\) and hence \(K\) have orders the proof of the inequality \(u(K)\geq 2u(k)\) is more complicated. Here the author uses well-known results about the space \(X\) of orderings of \(K\) and the compatibility of \(P\in X\) with \(A\). He shows: If \(q\) is a diagonal quadratic form with entries in \(A^*\) such that \(\overline q\) is an anisotropic torsion form over \(k\) then there exists a uniformizer \(t\) of \(A\) with \(t> 0\) on \(Z= \{P\in X: \text{sgn}_p(q)\neq 0\}\). Then \(\langle 1,-t\rangle\otimes q\) is anisotropic and torsion over \(K\). Furthermore there is a technical but straightforward inductive lemma (Lemma 8) to deal with the orderings of \(K\). Otherwise the proof of \textit{D. Harbater}, \textit{J. Hartmann} and \textit{D. Krashen} [loc. cit.] goes through almost verbatim. Some examples (Cor. 9, Rem. 10) conclude the well-written paper.