Birational \(p\)-adic Galois sections in higher dimensions (Q375496)

Let \(k\) be a finite extension of the \(p\)-adic field \(\mathbb{Q}_p\), and \(F/k\) a regular extension, i.e., \(F\cap \bar k=k\) so that the restriction map of the absolute Galois groups \(r_{F/k}:G_F\to G_k\) is surjective. The main result of this paper states that every homomorphic section of \(r_{F/k}\) has image contained in the decomposition group for a unique \(k\)-valuation \(\bar v\) of the algebraic closure \(\bar F\) of \(F\) with \(k\) as residue field of \(\bar v|F\). This refines the model theoretic argument and its consequences by \textit{J. Koenigsmann} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 588, 221--235 (2005; Zbl 1108.14021)]. In the case when \(F\) is the function field of a geometrically irreducible, normal, proper variety over \(k\), discussed are detailed relations between birationally liftable sections of \(\pi_1(X)\to G_k\) and valuations centered at sequences of points on branched cover towers over \(X\).