On a theorem of Garuti (Q436112)

This paper concerns the liftability of Galois covers of smooth curves, and in particular extends the main result of [\textit{M. Garuti}, Compos. Math. 104, No. 3, 305--331 (1996 Zbl 0885.14011)] to the situation of towers of Galois covers. Let \(R\) be a complete discrete valuation ring of mixed characteristic with algebraically closed residue field \(k\) of characteristic \(p>0\). Suppose that \(X\) is a smooth proper \(R\)-curve, and \(Y_k\rightarrow X_k\) is a Galois (ramified) cover of the special fiber with group \(G\). Garuti proved in [loc. cit.] that after a finite extension \(R' | R\), there exists a Galois cover of normal \(R'\)-curves \(Y'\rightarrow X\times_R R'\) with group \(G\) such that the special fiber \(Y_k'\rightarrow X_k\) is generically Galois with group \(G\). Moreover, \(Y_k'\) has only unibranch singularities, and the original cover \(Y_k\rightarrow X_k\) factors as \(Y_k\rightarrow Y_k'\rightarrow X_k\) where the first map is the normalization and an isomorphism away from the ramification points of \(Y_k\rightarrow X_k\). The present author calls such a cover \(Y'\rightarrow X\times_R R'\) a Garuti lifting of \(Y_k\rightarrow X_k\). The main result of the present paper is the following extension of Garuti's theorem: in the context described above, let \(H\) be a quotient of the group \(G\), corresponding to an intermediate Galois cover \(Z_k\rightarrow X_k\) of \(Y_k\rightarrow X_k\). Suppose that \(Z'\rightarrow X\times_R R'\) is a given Garuti lifting of \(Z_k\rightarrow X_k\). Then there exists a finite extension \(R'' | R'\) and a Garuti lifting \(Y''\rightarrow X\times_R R''\) which dominates \(Z'\times_{R' }R''\rightarrow X\times_R R''\). The proof of this result follows along similar lines to Garuti's original result, and makes essential use of formal patching in the style of Harbater. Along the way, the present author proves an important new theorem on the structure of a certain pro-\(p\) quotient of the ``geometric Galois group'' of a \(p\)-adic open disc \(\text{Spec}(R[[T]]\otimes_R \text{Frac}(R))\). Namely, the author establishes in Theorem 2.3.1 that this group is a free pro-\(p\) group (he also proves in Theorem 2.4.1 that a certain pro-\(p\) quotient of the ``geometric Galois group'' of the boundary of a \(p\)-adic open disc is free pro-\(p\)). A key ingredient is the analogous result due to Garuti in [loc. cit.] which says that the pro-\(p\) geometric fundamental group of a \(p\)-adic annulus of zero thickness is a free pro-\(p\) group. In Question 2.3.2, the present author poses the interesting open problem of whether the \textit{maximal} pro-\(p\) quotient of the ``geometric Galois group'' of a \(p\)-adic open disc is free pro-\(p\).