[Math] What are the epimorphisms in the category of schemes

ag.algebraic-geometryct.category-theoryschemes

Is there a known characterization of epimorphisms in the category of schemes?

It is easy to see that a morphism $f : X \to Y$ such that the underlying map $\lvert f\rvert$ is surjective and the homomorphism $f^\# : \mathcal{O}_Y \to f_* \mathcal{O}_X$ is injective, is an epimorphism. But there are other examples, too: if $Y$ is reduced and locally of finite type over a field, the obvious morphism from $X=\bigsqcup_{y\in Y_\text{cl}} \operatorname{Spec}(k(y))$ to $Y$ is an epimorphism (see #8(b) in Mark Haiman's Homework Set 9 for Math 256AB).

If this is is not possible, what about regular, extremal, or effective epimorphisms? Here, again, I know only some examples.

My background is that I want to know if there is a categorical characterization of the spectra of fields in the category of schemes. In the full subcategory of affine schemes, they are characterized by the property: $X$ is non-initial and every morphism from a non-initial object to $X$ is an epimorphism. But I doubt that this characterization takes over to the category of schemes. EDIT: Kevin Ventullo has shown below that the characterization takes over. Thus my original question has been answered (and I wonder if it's appropriate to accept it as an answer). But of course every other hint about the characterization of epimorphisms of schemes is appreciated.

Best Answer

$\DeclareMathOperator\Spec{Spec}$Actually, your suggested categorical characterization of spectra of fields does work.

Edit: (I had written something incorrect here)

By Martin's comment below, we just have to show that maps from affines into $\Spec(k)$ are epis in the full category. But if we had two maps $f,g: \Spec(k) \rightarrow Y$ which agreed on some affine mapping into $\Spec(k)$, then first of all $f$ and $g$ would have to be the same topological map. Then both would land inside some affine $\Spec(R)\subset Y$, and now we're reduced to the affine situation where we know it holds.

Conversely, suppose $X$ is not the spectrum of a field. If every point is dense, $X$ is affine and we are done by what we know about the affine subcategory. Otherwise, we can find an open subscheme $U\subsetneq X$. Then the inclusion of $U$ into $X$ is not an epi as is witnessed by the two inclusions

$$X \rightrightarrows X\sqcup_U X,$$

where the last object is $X$ glued to itself along $U$.

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