Descent properties of Hermitian Witt groups in inseparable extensions (Q719674)

The authors investigate the canonical map \(r_{L/k} : W(A, \sigma) \rightarrow W(A_L, \sigma_L)\) of Witt groups of Hermitian forms associated to purely inseparable extensions \(L\) of a field \(k\). More precisely, let \(k\) be a field of characteristic \(\neq 2\) and let \(W(k)\) denote the Witt ring of \(k\). For a field extension \(L/k\) there is a canonical ring homomorphism \(r_{L/k}: W(k) \rightarrow W(L)\). By Springer's theorem, this map is injective if the field extension is of odd degree. As proven by \textit{A. Rosenberg} and \textit{R. Ware} [Invent. Math. 11, 65--72 (1970; Zbl 0211.37103)], if \(L/k\) is Galois of odd degree, then \(r_{L/k} : W(k) \rightarrow W(L)^{Gal(L/k)}\) is an isomorphism. \textit{M. Rost} [J. Ramanujan Math. Soc. 14, No. 1, 55--63 (1999; Zbl 1059.11033)] later described the image of \(r_{L/k}\) for any separable field extension of odd degree. One easily checks that whenever the extension \(L/k\) is purely inseparable, the map \(r_{L/k} : W(k) \rightarrow W(L)\) is bijective. If \(A\) is a finite dimensional \(k\)-algebra with a \(k\)-linear involution \(\sigma : A \rightarrow A\), and if \(W(A, \sigma)\) is the associated Witt group, the, similarly, for any field extension \(L/k\) there is a canonical group homomorphism \(r_{L/k}: W(A, \sigma) \rightarrow W(A_L, \sigma_L)\). The first author and \textit{H. W. Lenstra jun.} [Am. J. Math. 112, No.3, 359--373 (1990; Zbl 0729.12006)] have already shown that if \(L/k\) has odd degree, then this new map \(r_{L/k}\) is injective, and the first author alone in her earlier work [J. Ramanujan Math. Soc. 24, No. 3, 265--276 (2009; Zbl 1209.11046)] established analogues of the results of Rosenberg, Ware and of Rost. The current work continues on the same theme and the main result proven is that if \((A, \sigma)\) is a central simple algebra with involution over \(k\) and \(L/k\) is purely inseparable, then \(r_{L/k} : W(A, \sigma) \rightarrow W(A_L, \sigma_L)\) is an isomorphism.