Néron model

Suppose that R is a Dedekind domain with field of fractions K, and suppose that A_K is a smooth separated scheme over K (such as an abelian variety). Then a Néron model of A_K is defined to be a smooth separated scheme A_R over R with fiber A_K that is universal in the following sense.

If X is a smooth separated scheme over R then any K-morphism from X_K to A_K can be extended to a unique R-morphism from X to A_R (Néron mapping property).

In particular, the canonical map ${\displaystyle A_{R}(R)\to A_{K}(K)}$ is an isomorphism. If a Néron model exists then it is unique up to unique isomorphism.

In terms of sheaves, any scheme A over Spec(K) represents a sheaf on the category of schemes smooth over Spec(K) with the smooth Grothendieck topology, and this has a pushforward by the injection map from Spec(K) to Spec(R), which is a sheaf over Spec(R). If this pushforward is representable by a scheme, then this scheme is the Néron model of A.

In general the scheme A_K need not have any Néron model. For abelian varieties A_K Néron models exist and are unique (up to unique isomorphism) and are commutative quasi-projective group schemes over R. The fiber of a Néron model over a closed point of Spec(R) is a smooth commutative algebraic group, but need not be an abelian variety: for example, it may be disconnected or a torus. Néron models exist as well for certain commutative groups other than abelian varieties such as tori, but these are only locally of finite type. Néron models do not exist for the additive group.

• The formation of Néron models commutes with products.
• The formation of Néron models commutes with étale base change.
• An Abelian scheme A_R is the Néron model of its generic fibre.

The Néron model of an elliptic curve A_K over K can be constructed as follows. First form the minimal model over R in the sense of algebraic (or arithmetic) surfaces. This is a regular proper surface over R but is not in general smooth over R or a group scheme over R. Its subscheme of smooth points over R is the Néron model, which is a smooth group scheme over R but not necessarily proper over R. The fibers in general may have several irreducible components, and to form the Néron model one discards all multiple components, all points where two components intersect, and all singular points of the components.

Tate's algorithm calculates the special fiber of the Néron model of an elliptic curve, or more precisely the fibers of the minimal surface containing the Néron model.

• Minimal model program

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