Distinguishing division algebras by finite splitting fields. (Q617838)

If two central simple algebras generate the same subgroup of the Brauer group, then they clearly have the same splitting fields. The reverse implication was proved by Amitsur via the construction of generic splitting fields. Since splitting fields play such an important role in the theory of central simple algebras, one is naturally led to ask to what extent do families of splitting fields determine the subgroup generated by the Brauer class. Let us say that two central simple algebras are `equivalent' if they have the same finite dimensional splitting fields. The main result of the current paper is that if all equivalence classes of prime period \(p\) over a field \(k\) (of characteristic not \(p\)) are finite, then the same is true for \(k(t)\). -- The assumption trivially holds for \(k\) the iterated Laurent series field over a finite, local or algebraically closed field, where the \(p\)-torsion part of the Brauer group is finite, but also for \(k\) a global field. Examples of equivalent but non-isomorphic quaternion algebras were constructed by Rost, Wadsworth and Schacher, but only recently appeared in print [see \textit{S. Garibaldi} and \textit{D. J. Saltman}, Quadratic forms, linear algebraic groups, and cohomology. Based on the conference to celebrate the 60th birthday of Raman Parimala, Hyderabad, India, December 30, 2008--January 4, 2009. New York, NY: Springer. Developments in Mathematics 18, 225-238 (2010; Zbl 1226.16011)]. We say that two algebras belong to the same `genus' if they have the same maximal subfields; thus every genus is a union of equivalence classes. \textit{A. S.~Rapinchuk} and \textit{I. A.~Rapinchuk} [Manuscr. Math. 132, No. 3-4, 273-293 (2010; Zbl 1205.16015)] proved that if every genus of a quaternion algebra over \(k\) consists of one isomorphism class (which is the case for number fields, for example: \textit{B. Fein} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 32, 427-429 (1972; Zbl 0219.16012)]), then the same holds for \(k(x)\). The authors show that if equivalence classes of algebras of period \(p\) over a field \(k\) (of characteristic not \(p\)) have at most \(N\) isomorphism classes of algebras, then the equivalence class of an algebra of period \(p\) over \(k(t)\), which ramifies at \(r\) closed points of \(\mathbb P^1_k\), has at most \(N(p-1)^r\) isomorphism classes. The finiteness result quoted above immediately follows. The case \(p=2\) is of particular interest: if finite splitting fields can distinguish central simple algebras of period \(2\) over \(k\), then this is the case over \(k(t)\) as well. The analogous result, that if maximal subfields can distinguish central simple algebras of period \(2\) over \(k\) then this is the case over \(k(t)\) as well, is implicit in Rapinchuk-Rapinchuk. The bound for \(k(t)\) is derived by analyzing the ramification of algebras over \(k(t)\). Let \(\kappa(x)\) denote the residue field for a closed point \(x\) in \(\mathbb P^1_k\). The ramification map associates, to each Brauer class over \(k(t)\), a Galois extension of commutative rings over \(\kappa(x)\), of degree dividing the period (characteristic restrictions apply); and if the class is unramified, it can be restricted to \(x\). Then: equivalent algebras have the same associated cyclic extension (Theorem 2.5) and if the equivalent algebras are unramified at a rational closed point \(x\), then they have the same restriction (Theorem 2.6).