Étale endomorphisms of algebraic varieties (Q1820215)

Let X be an algebraic variety defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. The paper is concerned with the following problem: Let \(f: X\to X\) be an étale endomorphism. Is f finite ? For \(X={\mathbb{A}}^ n_ k\), this problem is equivalent to the Jacobian conjecture. If X is complete, an étale endomorphism \(f: X\to X\) is always finite, and henceforth, discussions are focused on nonsingular, non-complete algebraic varieties. Results are obtained mainly for affine surfaces X. Using the logarithmic ramification formula of \textit{S. Iitaka} [in Complex Analysis Algebraic Geometry, Collect. Pap. dedic. K. Kodaira, 175-189 (1977; Zbl 0351.14016)], it is first shown that a quasi-finite endomorphism \(f: X\to X\) of a non-singular algebraic variety X with the logarithmic Kodaira dimension \({\bar\kappa}(X) = \dim(X)\), is an automorphism (and hence finite). Thereafter, the discussions are concentrated on affine surfaces X with \({\bar \kappa}(X)\leq 1\). Results are formulated as follows. 1. Suppose that \({\bar\kappa}(X) = -\infty\) and that one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) X is irrational but not elliptic ruled; (ii) \(\Gamma(X,{\mathcal O}_ X)^*\neq k^*\) and rank\((\Gamma(X,{\mathcal O}_ X)^*/k^*)\geq 2\) if X is rational. Then an étale endomorphism \(f: X\to X\) is an automorphism (and hence finite). 2. Let \(\phi: X\to C\) be an \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibration on an affine non-singular surface X over a non-singular curve C and let \(f: X\to X\) be an étale endomorphism such that \(\phi \circ f=\phi\) and codim\(_ X(X- f(X))\geq 2\). Then f is an automorphism (and hence finite) in each of the following cases: (i) There exists a singular fiber \(S=\Gamma + \Delta\) of \(\phi\) such that \(\Gamma =\alpha_ 1\Gamma_ 1+\alpha_ 2\Gamma_ 2\), where \(\alpha_ 1,\alpha_ 2\geq 1\), \(\Gamma_ 1\cong \Gamma_ 2\cong {\mathbb{A}}^ 1_ k\) and \(\Gamma_ 1\) and \(\Gamma_ 2\) intersect transversally in a single point. (ii) \(\Gamma (X,{\mathcal O}_ X)^*=\Gamma (C,{\mathcal O}_ C)^*.\) (iii) \(\Gamma (C,{\mathcal O}_ C)=k,\) that is, C is complete, and there exists a singular fiber \(S=\Gamma +\Delta\) of \(\phi\) such that \(\Gamma =\alpha G_ 1\) with \(\alpha\geq 1\) and \(\Gamma_ 1\cong {\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*.\) 3. Let \(\phi:X\to C\) be a surjective morphism from a non-singular affine surface X onto a non-singular curve C. Suppose that \(\phi\) defines a twisted \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibration on X. Let \(f: X\to X\) be an étale endomorphism such that \(\phi \circ f=\phi\) and codim\(_ X(X-f(X))\geq 2\). Furthermore suppose that C is complete and that \(\phi\) has a singular fiber \(S=\Gamma +\Delta\) with \(\Gamma\neq 0\). Then f is an automorphism (and hence finite). 4. Let X be a non-singular affine surface which is irrational and such that either \({\bar\kappa}(X)=1\) or \({\bar \kappa}(X)=0\). Then X has a surjective morphism \(\phi:X\to C\) onto a non-singular curve C which defines a \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibration or a twisted \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)- fibration on X. Let \(f: X\to X\) be an étale endomorphism such that \(co\dim_ X(X-f(X))\geq 2\). Then \(\phi \circ f=\phi\), and f is an automorphism (and hence finite) if \(\phi\) has a singular fiber S satisfying the conditions of 3 or 4. 5. Several examples of étale endomorphisms which are non-finite are discussed. We mention one such example. Let C be a non-singular cubic curve on \({\mathbb{P}}^ 2_ k\) and let \(X:={\mathbb{P}}^ 2_ k-C\). Then \({\bar\kappa}(X)=0\), and Pic\((X)\cong {\mathbb{Z}}/3{\mathbb{Z}}\). X has no \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibrations nor twisted \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibrations. X has a surjective, non-finite, étale endomorphism \(f:X\to X\) of degree 3.- The proofs of these results rest on an analysis of singular fibers of an \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibration or a twisted \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)- fibration. Finally, a structure theorem is obtained for a non-singular affine surface X defined over the complex number field \({\mathbb{C}}\), which has a finite étale endomorphism \(f:X\to X\) of degree \(n>1\). That is, such an affine surface X is one of the following: (i) Case \({\bar\kappa}(X)=- \infty\). X is either \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_{{\mathbb{C}}}\times {\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\) or a relatively minimal elliptic ruled surface with one cross-section deleted. (ii) Case \({\bar\kappa}(X)=0\) or 1. We have either: (a) \(X\) is a rational surface with \({\bar\kappa}(X)=0\) such that, if \((V,D)\) is any non-singular completion of X with the boundary divisor D of simple normal crossings and if \(D=D_ 1+...+D_ r\) is the decomposition into irreducible components, any component \(D_ i\) is rational and \((K^ 2_ V)\leq 12-r\); or (b) there exists a surjective morphism \(\phi: X\to C\) onto a non-singular curve C which defines an \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)- fibration or a twisted \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\)-fibration and which has no singular fibers except those of the type \(S=\alpha \Gamma_ 1\) with \(\Gamma_ 1\cong {\mathbb{A}}^ 1_*\). - The proof rests on the fact that the Euler characteristic of X is zero, and on the following theorem: Let X be a non-singular affine surface with an étale endomorphism \(f: X\to X.\) Suppose that \(n=:\deg (f)>1\) and \(co\dim_ X(X-f(X))\geq 2\). Let \(\tilde X\) be the normalization of the lower X in the function field of the upper X over \({\mathbb{C}}\). Assume that \(\tilde X\) is non-singular. When one regards the upper X as an open subset of X, then \(\tilde X-X\) is a disjoint union of irreducible curves which are isomorphic to \({\mathbb{A}}^ 1_{{\mathbb{C}}}.\) It is also remarked that if V is a non-singular projective surface over \({\mathbb{C}}\) with an étale endomorphism \(f:V\to V\) of degree \(>1\), then V is one of the following: (i) Case \(\kappa(V)=-\infty\). V is a ruled surface over an elliptic curve. - (ii) Case \(\kappa(V)=0.\) V is either an abelian surface or a hyperelliptic surface. - (iii) Case \(\kappa(V)=1.\) V is an elliptic surface \(\phi:V\to C\) whose singular fiber, if any, is a multiple of a non-singular elliptic curve.