[Math] Examples of $\mathcal{O}_X$-modules that are not quasi-coherent sheaves

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Let $X = \operatorname{Spec} k[x]_{(x)}$ which consists of two elements, the generic point $\zeta$ corresponding to the zero ideal and the closed point $(x)$. Define an $\mathcal{O}_X$-module $\mathcal{F}$ by setting $\mathcal{F}(X) = \{0\}$ and $\mathcal{F}(\zeta) = k(x).$ Now $\mathcal{F}$ is not a quasi-coherent sheaf because if $\mathcal{F}|_{\operatorname{Spec} k[x]_{(x)}} = \mathcal{F}$ is isomorphic to $\widetilde{M}$ for some $A$-module $M$, $\mathcal{F}(X) = 0$ implies that $\widetilde{M}(X) = M = 0$. But now $\mathcal{F}(\zeta)$ cannot be isomorphic to $\widetilde{M}(\zeta)$ because one is non-zero while the other is zero. Thus $\mathcal{F} \notin \operatorname{QCoh}(X)$.

Are there any other examples of $\mathcal{O}_X$-modules that are not quasi-coherent sheaves?

Best Answer

Let $A$ be a discrete valuation ring (for example your $\operatorname{Spec} k[x]_{(x)}$), $\;X=\operatorname{Spec} (A)=\{\zeta, f\}$ the corresponding affine scheme ( $f$ the closed point , $\zeta $ the generic point ) and $U=\{\zeta\}$ the unique non empty and non full open subset of $X$.

An $ \mathcal{O}_X$-module $\mathcal{F}$ consists of an $A$-module $M (=\mathcal F(X))$, a $K=Frac(A)$-module $N(=\mathcal F(U))$ and an $A$-linear map $M\to N$ corresponding to the sheaf restriction.
[Note the amusing and unusual fact that every presheaf on $X$ is automatically a sheaf since $X$ has no non-trivial covering!]
These data automatically give rise to a canonical morphism of $K$-vector spaces $$F:M\otimes_AK\to N $$ Characterization of quasi-coherence
The sheaf $\mathcal F$ is quasi-coherent if and only if $F$ is bijective.

And now you can boast that you can describe all quasi-coherent sheaves on $X$ !

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