Artin characters, Hurwitz trees and the lifting problem (Q842380)

This paper analyzes finite order automorphisms of the \(p\)-adic open disk, which can be viewed as R-automorphisms of the ring \(R[[z]]\) that are continuous for the \(z\)-adic topology (here, \(R\) is a characteristic zero complete discrete valuation ring with algebraically closed residue field of characteristic \(p\)). Such automorphisms were first studied in detail by \textit{B. Green} and \textit{M. Matignon} [J. Am. Math. Soc. 12, 269--303 (1999; Zbl 0923.14007)] and \textit{Y. Henrio} [C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Sér. I, Math. 329, 47--50 (1999; Zbl 0971.14013)] in the case of \(\mathbb{Z}/p\)-actions. The current paper addresses general finite group actions. In particular, it places restrictions on certain data corresponding to these actions. A major motive is to shed light on the \textit{local lifting problem}. That is, if a finite group \(G\) acts on \(k[[z]]\) by \(k\)-automorphisms continuous for the \(z\)-adic topology, where \(k\) is an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p\), does this action lift to a \(G\)-action on the \(p\)-adic open disk? As an application of its methods, the paper then shows that certain actions of generalized quaternions groups of order \(2^r\) \((r \geq 3)\) do not lift. Specifically, building on the results of Green, Matignon, and Henrio, the authors associate a \textit{Hurwitz tree} to any \(G\)-action on the \(p\)-adic open disk \(Y\). This is a graph which is essentially the dual graph of the special fiber of the minimal semi-stable model of the disk separating the fixed points of \(G\). Furthermore, additional data are attached to the vertices and edges of this graph. In particular, to each vertex is associated an \textit{inertia conjugacy class} and a \textit{depth character}, whereas to each edge is associated a \textit{thickness} and an \textit{Artin character}. The inertia conjugacy class and thickness are standard constructions, but the depth character and the Artin character (both class functions on \(G\)) represent the main new ideas of the paper. The depth character is a measure of the inseparability of the quotient morphism \(Y \to Y/G\), and the Artin character is somewhat more subtle. In the case of a \(\mathbb{Z}/p\)-action, the depth character (resp.\ the Artin character) is essentially equivalent to what is called \(\delta\) (resp.\ \(m\)) in Henrio's thesis. The data of the Hurwitz tree must satisfy many compatibilities with each other. The last section of the paper then considers certain actions of the generalized quaternion group \(Q_{2^{n+1}}\) of order \(2^{n+1}\) on \(k[[t]]\). These are called \textit{simple actions}, the designation being based on their higher ramification behavior. It is shown that no Hurwitz tree associated to any lift of such an action can possibly satisfy all of the compatibilities alluded to above. Thus, such actions cannot lift to an action on the \(p\)-adic open disk.