Integral Closure of a Finite Separable Field Extension

commutative-algebra

Let $A$ be Noetherian and integrally closed in its field of fractions $K$ and $L$ a finite separable field extension of $K$. Why is the integral closure $B$ of $A$ in $L$ finitely generated over $A$?

Best Answer

The following proof is based on the assumption that $A$ is Noetherian and is integrally closed (in its field of fractions $K$):

(1) If $L$ is a finite separable extension of $K$, then the bilinear form $(x,y)\to \text{Tr}_{L/K}(xy)$ on $L$ is nondegenerate. (Exercise)

(2) Choose a basis of $L$ over $K$. We can assume, after possibly scaling by elements of $K$, that this basis consists entirely of elements of $B$ (the integral closure of $A$ in $L$). (Exercise) Let $(v_1,\dots,v_n)$ be this basis of $L$ (as a vector space over $K$).

(3) We know by (1) that there is a basis $(w_1,\dots,w_n)$ of $L$ over $K$ "dual" to the basis $(v_1,\dots,v_n)$ of $L$ over $K$. More precisely, there is a basis $(w_1,\dots,w_n)$ of $L$ over $K$ such that $\text{Tr}_{L/K}(v_iw_j)=\delta_{ij}$ for all $1\leq i,j\leq n$ (where $\delta_{ij}$ denotes the Kronecker delta). (Exercise)

(4) Let $x\in B$ and write $x=\Sigma_{j=1}^n x_jw_j$ where $x_j\in K$ for all $1\leq j\leq n$. Note that $xv_i\in B$ for each $1\leq i\leq n$ and thus $\text{Tr}_{L/K}(xv_i)\in A$. (Exercise) However, $\text{Tr}_{L/K}(xv_i)=\Sigma_{j=1}^n x_j\text{Tr}_{L/K}(w_jv_i)= x_i$. Therefore, $x_i\in A$ for all $1\leq i\leq n$ and $x\in \Sigma_{i=1}^n Av_i$.

(5) Since $A$ is Noetherian, it follows that $B$ is a finitely generated $A$-module. (Exercise)

An interesting corollary that is fundamental in algebraic number theory:

Corollary Let $A$ be a Dedekind domain and let $K$ be its field of fractions. If $L$ is a finite separable extension of $K$, then the integral closure of $A$ in $L$ is also a Dedekind domain.

Proof. We know that $B$ is Noetherian since it is a finitely generated $A$-module (and $A$ is Noetherian). Also, $B$ is integrally closed in $L$. (Exercise) Therefore, all that remains to show is that every non-zero prime ideal of $B$ is maximal. (Exercise) Q.E.D.

I hope this helps!