In mathematics, a linked field is a field for which the quadratic forms attached to quaternion algebras have a common property.
Linked quaternion algebras
editLet F be a field of characteristic not equal to 2. Let A = (a1,a2) and B = (b1,b2) be quaternion algebras over F. The algebras A and B are linked quaternion algebras over F if there is x in F such that A is equivalent to (x,y) and B is equivalent to (x,z).[1]: 69
The Albert form for A, B is
It can be regarded as the difference in the Witt ring of the ternary forms attached to the imaginary subspaces of A and B.[2] The quaternion algebras are linked if and only if the Albert form is isotropic.[1]: 70
Linked fields
editThe field F is linked if any two quaternion algebras over F are linked.[1]: 370 Every global and local field is linked since all quadratic forms of degree 6 over such fields are isotropic.
The following properties of F are equivalent:[1]: 342
- F is linked.
- Any two quaternion algebras over F are linked.
- Every Albert form (dimension six form of discriminant −1) is isotropic.
- The quaternion algebras form a subgroup of the Brauer group of F.
- Every dimension five form over F is a Pfister neighbour.
- No biquaternion algebra over F is a division algebra.
A nonreal linked field has u-invariant equal to 1,2,4 or 8.[1]: 406
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Lam, Tsit-Yuen (2005). Introduction to Quadratic Forms over Fields. Graduate Studies in Mathematics. Vol. 67. American Mathematical Society. ISBN 0-8218-1095-2. MR 2104929. Zbl 1068.11023.
- ^ Knus, Max-Albert (1991). Quadratic and Hermitian forms over rings. Grundlehren der Mathematischen Wissenschaften. Vol. 294. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag. p. 192. ISBN 3-540-52117-8. Zbl 0756.11008.
- Gentile, Enzo R. (1989). "On linked fields" (PDF). Revista de la Unión Matemática Argentina. 35: 67–81. ISSN 0041-6932. Zbl 0823.11010.