Alternating groups as monodromy groups in positive characteristic (Q2496577)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p\geq 0\) and \(X\) be a smooth projective curve over \(k\). The monodromy group of a rational function \(f:X\rightarrow \mathbb P_k^1\) is the Galois group of the Galois closure of \(k(X)/k(f)\). The authors prove that the generic curve of genus \(g\) admits a tame rational function \(f\) of degree \(n\) with monodromy group equal to the alternating group for any \(n\geq n(p,g)\), where \(n(p,g)\) is explicitely given. Moreover, they prove that in most cases \(f\) can be chosen with inertia groups generated by \(3\)-cycles or double transpositions. The proof makes use of the algebraic construction of Hurwitz spaces and of deformation theory of tame covers. This theorem was proved in characteristic \(0\) by \textit{K. Magaard} and \textit{H. Völklein} [Isr. J. Math. 141, 355--368 (2004; Zbl 1075.14027)]. Other results in this direction have been given for \(p=0\) in [\textit{M. Fried, E. Klassen} and \textit{Y. Kopeliovich}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 129, No. 1, 111--119 (2001; Zbl 0978.30026) and \textit{M. Artebani} and \textit{P. Pirola}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 133, No. 2, 331--341 (2005; Zbl 1058.14041)]; for \(p\not=3\) in [\textit{S. Schröer}, Ann. Inst. Fourier 53, No. 7, 2225--2242 (2003; Zbl 1057.14035)] .