Simple \(p\)-kernels of \(p\)-divisible groups (Q2577487)

Let \(G\) be a \(1\)-truncated Barsotti-Tate group scheme (= a \(BT_1\), group scheme) i.e., a finite, locally free group scheme \(G \to S\) for which \(\ker F_G = \operatorname {Im} V_G\) and \(G[V]=F[G]\). \(G\) is indecomposible if it is not isomorphic to a product \(G_1 \times G_2\) of \(BT_1\), group schemes with \(G_1, G_2\) nonzero and is simple if the only \(BT_1\), subgroup schemes it contains are \(O\) and \(G\). It is minimal if it is isomorphic to \(H(\beta) [p]_k\) for some Newton polygon \(\beta\), where \(H(\beta) = \times_i H_{m_i, n_i}\) and the groups \(H_{m,n}\) are as defined by the author and \textit{A. de Jong} in Section 5 of [J. Am. Math. Soc. 13, No. 1, 209--241 (2000; Zbl 0954.14007)]. The paper under review proves two theorems. The first is that for \(BT_1\) group schemes over an algebraically closed field indecomposable plus minimal is equivalent to simple. The second is that if \(G\) is a \(BT_1\) group scheme over an algebraically closed field which is not minimal then there are infinitely many isomorphism classes of groups \(X\) for which \(X[p] \simeq G\). The second result was announced in an earlier paper of the author [Ann. Math. (2) 161, No. 2, 1021--1036 (2005; Zbl 1081.14065)] where it was shown that if \(G\) is minimal then all \(X\) for which \(X[p]\simeq G\) are isomorphic.