Diamond theorem for a finitely generated free profinite group. (Q863410)

Let \(\widehat F_m\) denote the free profinite group of rank \(m\). If \(m\) is infinite, then a theorem of D. Haran [see Theorem 25.4.3 of \textit{M. D. Fried} and \textit{M. Jarden}, Field arithmetic. 2nd revised and enlarged ed. Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete. 3. Folge 11. Berlin: Springer (2005; Zbl 1055.12003)] shows that, for any distinct closed subgroups \(M_1,M_2\) and \(M\) of \(\widehat F_m\) such that \(M_1\) and \(M_2\) are normal in \(\widehat F_m\) and \(M_1\cap M_2\leq M\), we have \(M\cong\widehat F_m\). The main theorem of the present paper considers the case where \(m\) is finite. Under the same hypotheses as Haran's theorem, together with the additional obvious necessary condition \(|\widehat F_m:M|=\infty\), it is shown that in this case \(M\cong\widehat F_\omega\). -- Haran's original interest in his theorem arose from a result (the Diamond Theorem) which he had proved about Hilbertian fields [\textit{D. Haran}, Invent. Math. 137, No. 1, 113-126 (1999; Zbl 0933.12003)]. The present author shows how to apply his own theorem to prove the following. Let \(K\) be a pseudo-algebraically closed (PAC) field with a finitely generated free absolute Galois group of rank \(\geq 2\). If \(E_1,E_2\) and \(E\) are distinct field extensions of \(K\) such that \(E_1\) and \(E_2\) are Galois over \(K\), \(E\leq E_1E_2\) and \([E:K] =\infty\), then \(E\) is Hilbertian. -- Furthermore, theorems analogous to the main theorem are shown to hold for free pro-\(\mathcal C\) groups for any class \(\mathcal C\) of finite groups closed under taking quotients, normal subgroups and extensions.