The \(p\)-radical closure of local Noetherian rings (Q2188694)

Let \((R, \mathfrak{m})\) be a local Noetherian ring of positive characteristic \(p\) whose formal completion is an integral domain. The author introduces the \(p\)-radical closure of \(R\), \(R^{\mathrm{prc}}\), which is the largest purely inseparable extension of \(R\) inside its formal completion \(\hat{R}\). After introducing the \(p\)-radical closure, for comparison he proves that when the henselization of \(R\), \(R^h\), has geometrically connected generic formal fiber, then \(R^h\) is in the separable closure of \(R\) inside of its formal completion \(\hat{R}\). Strikingly, the finite extensions of \(R\) lying inside of \(R^{\mathrm{prc}}\) yield a large class of Noetherian rings with bad behavior. If \(B\) is such a ring then: (1) The normalization of \(B\) is not finitely generated. (2) The formal completion of \(B\) is not reduced. (3) \(\text{Spec} B\) does not admit a resolution of singularities. The paper concludes with a discussion of \(R^{\mathrm{prc}}\) when \(R\) is a DVR. If \(\mathrm{Frac}(\hat{R})\) can be expressed as a purely inseparable extension of \(\mathrm{Frac}(R)\) followed by a separable extension, then \(R^{\mathrm{prc}}\) is an excellent DVR. If \(R\) was not itself excellent, the \(R^{\mathrm{prc}}\) is an infinite integral extension.