Big monodromy theorem for abelian varieties over finitely generated fields (Q1946162)

Let \(K\) be a field and denote by \(G_K\) its absolute Galois group. Let \(A\) be an abelian variety defined over \(K\) and \(\ell\neq\mathrm{char}(K)\) a prime number. Let \(\rho_{A[\ell]}\) be the Galois representation attached to the action of \(G_K\) on the \(\ell\)-torsion points \(A[\ell]\) of \(A\). Let \(e_{\ell}\) denote the Weil pairing defined by a fixed polarization. Then the image \(\rho_{A[\ell]}(G_K)\) is a subgroup of the group of symplectic similitudes of the Weil pairing. We say that \(A/K\) has big monodromy if there exists a constant \(\ell_0\) such that \(\rho_{A[\ell]}(G_K)\) contains the symplectic group for every prime number \(\ell\geq\ell_0\). In this paper the authors prove that any abelian variety over a finitely generated field \(K\) with endomorphism ring \(\mathbb{Z}\) and semistable reduction of toric dimension one at a place of the base field \(K\), has big monodromy. This generalizes recent results in [\textit{C. Hall}, Duke Math. J. 141, No. 1, 179--203 (2008; Zbl 1205.11062)] and [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 43, No. 4, 703--711 (2011; Zbl 1225.11083)].