The algebraic fundamental group of a reductive group scheme over an arbitrary base scheme (Q2440582)

Let \(G\) be a connected reductive algebraic group over a nonempty base scheme \(S\), and let \(T\) be a maximal torus of \(G.\) In the case where \(S=\text{Spec}k\) for some field \(k\) of characteristic zero, the notion of an algebraic fundamental group \(\pi_{1}\left( G,T\right) \) was defined in [\textit{M. Borovoi}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 626, 50 p. (1998; Zbl 0918.20037)]. Different definitions were given by \textit{A. S. Merkurjev} [Prog. Math. 169, 43--72 (1998; Zbl 0906.19001)] and by \textit{J.-L. Colliot-Thélène} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 618, 77--133 (2008; Zbl 1158.14021)]. Colliot-Thélène defined \(\pi_{1}\left( G\right)\), with no restriction on char \(k\), using a flasque resolution of \(G\); this definition is independent, up to isomorphism, of choice of \(T\). This was later generalized to the case where \(S\) is any non-empty, reduced, connected, locally Noetherian and geometrically unibranch scheme in [\textit{C. D. González-Avilés}, Cent. Eur. J. Math. 11, No. 7, 1159--1176 (2013; Zbl 1273.14090)]. In the work under review, the definition of \(\pi_{1}\left( G\right) \) is fully generalized, that is, \(\pi_{1}\left( G\right) \) is defined over any nonempty base scheme \(S\). In order to accomplish this generalization, a substitute for flasque resolutions is needed. Here, one uses a \(t\)-resolution for \(G\): that is, a central extension \(1\rightarrow T\rightarrow H\rightarrow G\rightarrow1\) where \(H\) is a reductive \(S\)-group scheme with a simply connected derived subgroup. (It is shown that \(t\)-resolutions always exist.) Such a resolution gives rise to an exact sequence \(1\rightarrow\pi_{1}\left( G^{\text{der}}\right) \rightarrow T\rightarrow H/H^{\text{der}}\rightarrow G/G^{\text{der} }\rightarrow1,\) where \(X^{\text{der}}\) is the derived subgroup of \(X\). One then defines \(\pi_{1}\left( G\right) \) as the cokernel of the induced map \(T_{\ast}\rightarrow\) \(\left( H/H^{\text{der}}\right) _{\ast}\) on cocharacters. This definition is independent, up to isomorphism, of the choice of \(t\)-resolution, and as a flasque resolution is a \(t\)-resolution this construction agrees with the definitions of Merkurjev and González-Avilés in the more restrictive cases above. Once defined, some properties of \(\pi_{1}\) are described, the most significant of which is that \(G\mapsto\pi_{1}\left( G\right) \) is an exact (covariant) functor. A sketch of the proof is given, using the work by González-Avilés cited above as a guide. A second, more complete, proof is given, and it includes a result which shows that the choice of \(T\) canonically determines a \(t\)-resolution of \(G\). This allows for a unification of Borovoi's previous definition with the others.