On valuation independence and defectless extensions of valued fields (Q2174533)

This article develops the theory of valuation independence, a concept generalizing linear independence in the framework of vector subspaces in an extension of a valued field. Many results already existing in literature are generalized with respect to rank and dimension; moreover, they are collected in a unified form and proved relying only on algebraic methods and concept of valuation theory. The notions of \(K\)-valuation independence and \(K\)-valuation basis are introduced and strict links with the classical concepts of ``immediate extension'' and ``defectless extension'' are stated. A problem that the authors successfully face is the relation between the following two conditions: \begin{itemize} \item[i)] the extension \((L/K,v)\) is vs-defectless, \item[ii)] \(L\) is linearly disjoint over \(K\) for every immediate extension of \(k\) in every common field extension; \end{itemize} such a problem is studied by them in a more general frame.