Minimal pairs, minimal fields and implicit constant fields (Q2236081)

Let \(v\) be a valuation of a field \(K\) with value group \(vK\) and \(K(x)\) be a simple transcendental extension of \(K\). Let \(w\) be a valuation of \(K(x)\) extending the valuation \(v\) of \(K\) with value group \(wK(x)\). The prolongation \(w\) is said to be value transcendental if \(wK(x)/vK\) is not a torsion group. It is said to be residue transcendental if the residue field of \(w\) is a transcendental extension of the residue field of \(v\). The prolongation \(w\) is said to be valuation transcendental if it is either value or residue transcendental. In this paper, the author introduces the notion of minimal fields of definition for valuation transcendental extensions and show that they share some common ramification theoretic properties. The connection between minimal fields of definition and implicit constant fields is explored. A relation between valuation transcendental extensions and pseudo Cauchy sequences is also established. The paper is well written.