\(F\)-finiteness of homomorphisms and its descent (Q2341654)

A commutative ring \(A\) of characteristic \(p\) is \(F\)-finite if the Frobenius map \(F:A \to A\) is finite. In this paper, \(A^{(e)}\) stands for the \(A\)-algebra which equals \(A\) as a ring and with \(A\)-algebra multiplication defined such that the \(e\)th Frobenius iteration \(F: A^{(e)} \to A\) is an \(A\)-algebra homomorphism. The author extends the notion of an \(F\)-finite ring to homomorphims of characteristic \(p\) rings. In this setting, a ring homomorphism \(A \to B\) is called \(F\)-finite if the Radu-André homomorphism (also known as the relative Frobenius homomorphism) \(B^{(1)} \otimes_{A^{(1)}} A \to B\) is finite. The main result of the paper shows the following as a corollary: given two Noetherian rings of characterstic \(p\) and a ring homomorphism \(g: B \to C\) such that \(g\) is faithfully flat and reduced, if \(C\) is \(F\)-finite, then \(B\) is \(F\)-finite. This generalizes a result of \textit{H. Seydi} on \(F\)-finite rings [Bull. Sci. Math., II. Ser. 96, 193--198 (1972; Zbl 0244.13016)]. Along the way, the author introduces the class of \(e\)-Dumitrescu ring homomorphisms, which are ring homomorphisms \(A \to B\) such that \(B^{(e)} \otimes_{A^{(e)}} A \to B\) is \(A\)-pure.