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The absolute Galois group of a field $K$ is $G_K=\mathrm{Gal}(K^{\mathrm{sep}}/K)$. It is a profinite group, the inverse limit of the Galois groups of finite Galois extensions. Its continuous actions on discrete modules are the coefficients for Galois cohomology.

For a closed subgroup $P$ of a profinite group $G$ and a discrete $G$-module $M$, restriction gives $H^q(P,M)={\underrightarrow{\lim }}_{U\supseteq P,U\mathrm{open}}{H}^q(U,M)$. Thus a class restricting to zero on $P$ already restricts to zero on one such open subgroup. The property follows by extending continuous finite-image cochains and their identities to a sufficiently small open neighborhood of $P$.

For a profinite group and a discrete module with continuous action, continuous cohomology is computed by continuous cochains. On a compact domain these cochains have finite image. Positive-degree classes become zero on a sufficiently small open subgroup and hence are torsion by restriction followed by corestriction.

On a profinite group, convolution is first defined for functions on a finite quotient by summing products of the two measures' coset coefficients, then extended by uniform approximation. Finite-quotient associativity proves associativity. For an abelian group it is commutative; the Dirac measure at the identity is the identity element. Under the measure realization of an Iwasawa algebra, it becomes group-algebra multiplication.

For an open finite-index subgroup $U$ of a profinite group $G$ and a discrete $G$-module $M$, cohomological transfer gives ${\mathrm{Cor}}_U^G:H^q(U,M)\to H^q(G,M)$. In degree zero it is the sum over cosets, or the norm for multiplicative coefficients. It is transitive and satisfies $\mathrm{Cor}\mathrm{Res}=[G:U]$ and the cup-product projection formula.

For a profinite group $G={\underleftarrow{\lim }}_j{G}_j$, a subset $S\subseteq G$ is a topological generating set exactly when $⟨p_j(S)⟩=p_j(G)$ in every finite quotient. Indeed, a subgroup of a profinite group is dense exactly when its image in every finite continuous quotient is surjective.

An infinite profinite group is hereditarily just infinite if every open subgroup is a just-infinite profinite group. To prove this, it suffices to show that every nonidentity element of every open subgroup has open closed normal closure: any nontrivial closed normal subgroup then contains that normal closure. The Nottingham group is an example. In odd characteristic its depth-commutator formula constructs nonzero elements of each sufficiently high layer inside any such normal subgroup, and successive coefficient correction fills the entire tail.

An infinite profinite group is just infinite if every nontrivial closed normal subgroup has finite index, equivalently is open. Requiring closedness is part of the topological convention. This property says that every proper Hausdorff quotient is finite.

An open normal subgroup $N$ of a topological group is simultaneously open in its topology and invariant under conjugation. For a profinite group, the quotient $G/N$ is a finite discrete group: its cosets form a disjoint open cover, so compactness gives finitely many. Conversely the group homomorphism kernel of a continuous homomorphism to a finite discrete group is open and normal. Such subgroups form an identity-neighbourhood basis of every profinite group.

Every identity neighbourhood of a compact Hausdorff totally disconnected topological group contains an open normal subgroup. Choose a clopen set $U$ containing the identity inside that neighbourhood. Compactness and continuity give a symmetric identity neighbourhood $V$ with $VU\subseteq U$, hence $VU=U$. The setwise stabilizer $H=\{g:gU=U\}$ is an open subgroup contained in $U$. Its index is finite, so its normal core is an open normal subgroup contained in $U$. These subgroups recover the profinite group as the inverse limit of its finite quotients.

For a profinite group $G$ and a complete discrete valuation ring $I$ with a continuous ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$-algebra structure, an $I$-valued measure is a bounded $I$-linear functional on continuous $I$-valued functions, with the uniform norm. Equivalently it assigns finitely additive values in $I$ to clopen sets. Locally constant functions are uniformly dense, so integration extends uniquely from finite sums. Countable additivity in the usual real-measure sense is not imposed. The coefficient ring may have infinite residue field and need not be compact.

An inverse system of topological spaces over a directed set $I$ consists of spaces $X_i$ and continuous maps $f_{ij}:X_j\to X_i$ for $i\le j$, with $f_{ii}=1$ and $f_{ik}=f_{ij}{f}_{jk}$. Its inverse limit is a space $X$ with compatible continuous projections ${\pi }_i$ such that every compatible family of continuous maps $u_i:Y\to X_i$ factors uniquely through a continuous map $u:Y\to X$. To construct it, takewith the subspace topology inherited from the product topology. The map $u(y)=(u_i(y))$ has values in $X$ and is continuous by the definition of the product topology; its coordinates force uniqueness. If $X^{\prime }$ is another inverse limit, the two universal properties give continuous maps $X\to X^{\prime }$ and $X^{\prime }\to X$ whose composites have all the same projections as the identity. Uniqueness makes these composites the identity. The inverse limit exists and is unique up to a unique projection-preserving homeomorphism. An arbitrary inverse limit may be empty; nonemptiness requires additional hypotheses.

Use the usual Hausdorff convention for a topological group. An inverse limit of finite discrete groups is a closed subgroup of their product: each compatibility condition is closed because the finite factors are Hausdorff spaces. The Tychonoff theorem gives compactness, and distinct tuples are separated by a clopen coordinate cylinder, so the limit is totally disconnected. Coordinatewise multiplication and inversion are continuous, giving a profinite group.

Conversely, let $G$ be a compact Hausdorff space and a totally disconnected topological group. We use the standard topological fact that a compact Hausdorff space that is totally disconnected has a basis of clopen sets. Given an identity neighbourhood, choose a clopen identity neighbourhood $U$ inside it. Compactness of $U$ and continuity of multiplication give a symmetric identity neighbourhood $V$ with $VU\subseteq U$: cover $U$ by finitely many neighbourhoods on which multiplication by a sufficiently small identity neighbourhood stays inside $U$, then intersect those identity neighbourhoods. Symmetry gives $vU=U$ for $v\in V$. Consequently $H=\{g:gU=U\}$ is a subgroup containing $V$, hence an open subgroup, and $H\subseteq U$ since $1\in U$. Its open cosets cover the compact group, so there are finitely many. The normal core $N={\bigcap }_{g\in G}gH{g}^{-1}$ is a finite intersection of open subgroups, hence an open normal subgroup contained in $U$. Thus the open normal subgroups form an identity-neighbourhood basis and have trivial intersection.

The canonical group homomorphism $G\to {\underleftarrow{\lim }}_{N}G/N$ is continuous and injective. For a compatible tuple of quotient elements, its inverse-image cosets in $G$ are closed and have the finite intersection property: a finite family is refined by the quotient for the intersection of its normal subgroups. Compactness gives an element in all those cosets, proving surjectivity. A continuous bijection from a compact space to a Hausdorff space is a homeomorphism. The compact totally disconnected and inverse-limit definitions of a profinite group agree.

Index the finite nonempty sets $\mathcal{P}(N)$ by open normal subgroups, with the transition from $M$ to $N$ when $M\subseteq N$ given by image under $G/M\to G/N$. Images of Sylow subgroups under surjections of finite groups are Sylow subgroups. These transitions are surjective: if $S\le G/N$ is a Sylow subgroup, choose a Sylow subgroup in its full inverse image in $G/M$. It maps onto $S$, and its order has the full $p$-part of $|G/M|$, so it is a Sylow subgroup of $G/M$ too. The transitions respect composition, giving an inverse system of finite sets.

Its inverse limit is nonempty. Indeed, finitely many compatibility conditions can be satisfied by choosing one Sylow subgroup in a quotient refining all the involved quotients and taking its images; compactness of the product of the finite sets then gives a compatible family $(P_N{)}_N$. DefineThis is a closed subgroup of $G$. Its image in $G/N$ is exactly $P_N$: for a prescribed $s\in P_N$, each finite collection of conditions defining $P$ together with ${\pi }_N(g)=s$ is satisfiable in a common refining quotient, because the transitions on the chosen Sylow subgroups are surjective. The finite intersection property again supplies $g\in P$. Hence $P\cong {\underleftarrow{\lim }}_N{P}_N$ is a pro-p group and $PN/N=P_N$ for every $N$.

Finally, if a pro-p subgroup $Q$ contains $P$, its image in every finite quotient is a p-group containing the Sylow subgroup $P_N$, so that image equals $P_N$. Thus every $q\in Q$ belongs to every ${\pi }_N^{-1}(P_N)$, whence $Q\subseteq P$. The constructed $P$ is a maximal pro-p subgroup.

For an open subgroup $H$ of a profinite group $G$, the open left cosets form a disjoint cover of a compact space. A finite subcover must include every coset, so $[G:H]$ is finite. Choose representatives $t_1,\dots ,t_m$ for these cosets. The normal core isEach conjugate is open, and the intersection is finite, so $N$ is an open normal subgroup contained in $H$. $[G:H]<\infty$ and $H$ contains an open normal subgroup of $G$.

Put $U_0=G$ and $U_{j+1}=U_j^p$, where powers mean closed generated subgroups. The finite-quotient arguments of Question 3 pass to a powerful pro-p group: in particular $U_j$ is powerfully embedded, the power map is onto $U_{j+1}$, andFor the root assertion, apply the finite result to every finite quotient and use the finite intersection property on the closed sets of possible roots in the compact group. Each $U_j$ is finitely generated by the appropriate powers of a finite generating tuple, and $U_j/U_{j+1}$ is finite and elementary abelian. Thus the $U_j$ are open. They form an identity-neighbourhood basis: in any finite continuous quotient their images form a terminating lower p-series, so some $U_j$ is contained in the kernel. In particular ${\bigcap }_j{U}_j=1$. Collection also givesOne can see the extra index directly by induction from $[U_a,G]\subseteq U_{a+1}$: collect $[v,w^p]$ for $w\in U_b$. Its leading factor $[v,w{]}^p$ advances one layer, and the remaining iterated commutators, with their binomial coefficients, lie at least as deep. Products and limits preserve the inclusion. This is the usual strongly central property of the lower p-series.

A uniform pro-p group is a finitely generated powerful pro-p group for which all the indices $|U_j:U_{j+1}|$ equal $|G:G^p|$. The preliminary congruence gives surjective linear mapsIf $G$ is uniform, these maps are bijective. If $x\ne y$, write $y=xu$ and choose the unique layer $j$ with $u\in U_j\setminus U_{j+1}$. Bijectivity of ${\theta }_j$ and the power congruence imply $y^p(x^p{)}^{-1}\in U_{j+1}\setminus U_{j+2}$, so $x^p\ne y^p$. Thus the power map is injective. A finite-order element of a pro-p group has $p$-power order; repeated injectivity of the power map excludes every nonidentity such element. Hence a uniform group is a torsion-free group.

Conversely, suppose some ${\theta }_j$ has a nonzero kernel. Choose $x\in U_j\setminus U_{j+1}$ with $x^p\in U_{j+2}$. At step $r\ge j+1$, if the current $x_r$ satisfies $x_r^p\in U_{r+1}$, surjectivity of ${\theta }_r$ supplies $u_r\in U_r$ withSet $x_{r+1}=x_r{u}_r$. The power congruence gives $x_{r+1}^p\in U_{r+2}$. Since the corrections tend to $1$ in the complete profinite group, the $x_r$ converge to $z$, with $z^p=1$ and $z\equiv x(\mathrm{mod}{U}_{j+1})$. In particular $z\ne 1$. A torsion-free group cannot have such an element, so every ${\theta }_j$ is injective and all layer indices are equal. This proves the root correction criterion for uniformity andFor a uniform group the power maps are continuous bijections $U_j\to U_{j+1}$, hence homeomorphisms. Their inverses define the unique roots used below. Comparison at the first differing layer also proves the power congruences in a uniform pro-p group:

The intrinsic Lie algebra of a uniform pro-p group has the same underlying set as $G$, zero equal to the group identity, and operationsHere $x^{\lambda }$ is the limit of integral powers approaching $\lambda$. The first root is taken in $U_n$ and the second in $U_{2n}$; the commutator actually lies in $U_{2n+1}$. The following faithful algebra realization verifies convergence and the Lie algebra axioms, rather than assuming them as part of the definition.

Choose a minimal tuple $a_1,\dots ,a_d$ of topological generators. The layer isomorphisms ${\theta }_j$ show that the images of $a_i^{p^j}$ are bases of $U_j/U_{j+1}$. The ordered-coordinate argument of Question 3 therefore gives a continuous bijectionExistence follows by successive digits and compactness; uniqueness follows by the first digit at which the coordinates differ, because its images are linearly independent in the corresponding power layer. Thus this map is a homeomorphism.

Here are details of the norm needed on the group algebra. In ${\mathbb{Z}}_p[[G]]$ put $b_i=a_i-1$. Its elements have unique ordered expansions ${\sum }_{\alpha }{c}_{\alpha }{b}_1^{{\alpha }_1}\cdots b_d^{{\alpha }_d}$ with $c_{\alpha }\in {\mathbb{Z}}_p$. To verify this description, identify the ordered coordinates of $G$ with ${\mathbb{Z}}_p^d$. Elements of the completed group algebra are integral measures on this space; their values on the binomial polynomials ${\prod }_i\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{{\lambda }_i}{{\alpha }_i}\right)$ are precisely the coefficients $c_{\alpha }$. The finite-difference identity pairs the ordered monomial $b^{\beta }$ with this binomial polynomial as ${\delta }_{\alpha \beta }$. The Mahler expansion of a continuous function therefore proves both existence and uniqueness of the measure with the specified coefficients. This also proves that the ordinary rational group algebra embeds in these expansions.

Choose $1/(p-1)<s<1$ and setThis defines the weighted group algebra of a uniform pro-p group. Its multiplication is submultiplicative in the valuation convention, $v(AB)\ge v(A)+v(B)$. Indeed, $a_i^p-1=p{b}_i+\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{p}{2}\right)b_i^2+\cdots +b_i^p$ has valuation $1+s$; collection of ordered coordinates gives the same lower bound for $g-1$ when $g\in U_1$. Interchanging two adjacent $b_i$ in a product introduces a correction coming from $[a_i,a_j]-1$, of valuation at least $1+s>2s$. Iterating the interchange rule never lowers the total weight; the corrections have strictly increasing weight, so infinite collection converges. The same argument with $p^j$-th powers showsThe equality follows from the first nonzero coordinate digit: its leading terms are $p^j{\lambda }_i^{\prime }{b}_i$, at least one with unit ${\lambda }_i^{\prime }$, and cannot cancel in the ordered expansion. Completing the rational group algebra in this norm produces a complete normed algebra $A$ in which $G$ embeds faithfully and with its original topology.

Since $v(g-1)\ge s>1/(p-1)$, the seriesconverge on the relevant balls in $A$ and are inverse there. Their convergence follows from $v_p(r!)\le (r-1)/(p-1)$ and $v_p(r)\le (r-1)/(p-1)$; formal one-variable identities prove that they are inverse. Put $X=\log x$ and $Y=\log y$. The Baker--Campbell--Hausdorff formula in $A$ now givesbecause every term of degree at least two tends to zero after this rescaling. Similarly expansion of $\exp (-p^{n}X)\exp (-p^{n}Y)\exp (p^{n}X)\exp (p^{n}Y)$ givesThe leading term is the indicated associative-algebra commutator and all terms of degree at least three tend to zero. These expressions are the logarithms of the unique roots in the intrinsic formulas. The image $\log G$ is compact and hence closed in $A$, so both limits belong to $\log G$, and the inverse logarithm takes the limits back to $G$. Also $\log (x^{\lambda })=\lambda \log x$. Consequently $\log$ identifies the intrinsic operations with addition, scalar multiplication and commutation in $A$. The Jacobi identity follows by expanding the associative products; thus $L_G$ is indeed a Lie algebra over ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$.

The commutator roots in the intrinsic formula belong to $U_1$, so their limit gives $[L_G,L_G]\subseteq \log U_1=p{L}_G$. Iterating the power congruence gives $x^{p^n}{y}^{p^n}\equiv (xy{)}^{p^n}(\mathrm{mod}{U}_{n+1})$. Taking the unique roots shows that intrinsic addition modulo $U_1$ is the original group product modulo $U_1$. Consequently $L_G/p{L}_G$ is the original elementary abelian quotient $G/U_1$, and the images of the $a_i$ form a basis. Successively removing digits expresses every element uniquely as an additive sum ${\sum }_i{\lambda }_i{a}_i$: existence uses completeness, while a nonzero relation would have a first nonzero digit contradicting the basis in $U_j/U_{j+1}$. Hence $L_G$ is a free module of rank $d$ over the p-adic integers and is a powerful Lie lattice.

Conversely a powerful Lie algebra over p-adic integers, for odd $p$, is a finite free ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$-module $L$ with a bilinear alternating Lie bracket satisfying the Jacobi identity and $[L,L]\subseteq pL$. DefineFor completeness, integrality and convergence can be verified without guessing which individual denominators are units. In ${\mathbb{Q}}_p\otimes L$ set $M=p^{-1}L$. Then $[M,M]\subseteq M$, so its integral universal enveloping algebra has an ordered basis by the Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt theorem. Its coefficientwise $p$-adic norm is submultiplicative, and $L=pM$ consists of elements of valuation at least one. The homogeneous degree-$r$ terms in $\log (\exp X\exp Y)$ have coefficients of valuation at least $-\lfloor (r-1)/(p-1)\rfloor$: expand the logarithm, use $v_p(k!)\le (k-1)/(p-1)$ on each nonconstant exponential factor, and $v_p(\ell )\le (\ell -1)/(p-1)$ on a product of $\ell$ such factors. Therefore evaluating degree $r$ on $X,Y\in pM$ gives valuation at leastwhich tends to infinity and is at least two when $r\ge 2$. Each homogeneous term is a rational Lie polynomial by the formal Baker--Campbell--Hausdorff formula. The ordered enveloping-algebra basis shows that its intersection with ${\mathbb{Q}}_{p}M$ is exactly $M$, so the estimate places the sum in $L$, with the non-linear part in $pL$.

Associativity follows from the identity $\exp (X\ast Y)=\exp X\exp Y$ in the completed universal enveloping algebra. Its identity is $0$, its inverse is $-X$, and $X^{\ast m}=mX$, since the bracket of $X$ with itself is zero. The same coefficient estimate for the group commutator puts it in $pL$. Conjugation in the BCH group is $\exp (\mathrm{ad}X)$; each term $\mathrm{ad}(X{)}^r/r!$ preserves $p^{j}L$, because each bracket adds a factor of $p$ and $v_p(r!)<r$. Thus the submodules $p^{j}L$ are normal subgroups for $\ast$, their intersection is zero, and their finite quotients have $p$-power order. Thus $(L,\ast )$ is a powerful pro-p group, withA module basis topologically generates this group: it generates the quotient $L/pL$, and successive power digits lift that generation through all $p^{j}L$. The BCH construction therefore gives a uniform pro-p group.

A topological group is a group with a topology for which multiplication $G\times G\to G$ and inversion $G\to G$ are continuous. A profinite group has either of the following equivalent descriptions: a compact Hausdorff totally disconnected topological group, or an inverse limit of finite discrete groups. Totally disconnected means that every connected component is a singleton.

For clarity, an inverse system over a directed set $I$ consists of groups $G_i$ and maps ${\varphi }_{ij}:G_j\to G_i$ for $i\le j$, with ${\varphi }_{ii}=1$ and ${\varphi }_{ik}={\varphi }_{ij}{\varphi }_{jk}$. Its inverse limit iswith coordinatewise multiplication and the subspace topology. Equivalently, it is a group with compatible continuous projections such that every other compatible family of maps into the $G_i$ factors uniquely through it.

The displayed limit is a closed subgroup of the compact Hausdorff product of the finite groups, and is totally disconnected, since two different tuples are separated by a clopen coordinate condition. Conversely a compact Hausdorff totally disconnected group has a neighbourhood basis of open normal subgroups. One way to see the group part of this standard clopen-basis fact is to choose a clopen identity neighbourhood $U$ inside a prescribed neighbourhood. Compactness of $U$ and continuity give a symmetric identity neighbourhood $V$ with $VU\subseteq U$. The stabilizer $H=\{g:gU=U\}$ contains $V$, is open, and is contained in $U$ because $1\in U$. Its index is finite by part (ii); its normal core is the intersection of finitely many conjugates and is open and normal. The canonical mapis injective because these $N$ separate points, and surjective because compatible cosets have the finite intersection property and $G$ is compact. It is a homeomorphism by compactness and the Hausdorff property. This explains the equivalence of the two definitions.

The profinite Frattini subgroup is $\Phi (G)=\bigcap M$, where $M$ ranges over all maximal proper open subgroups; for the trivial group the empty intersection is $G$. For a pro-p group,Here powers and group commutators mean generated subgroups and the bar supplies closure. Every maximal open subgroup in a pro-p group is normal of index $p$, as follows by passing to the finite p-group quotient by its normal core. Such a subgroup therefore contains all powers and group commutators. Conversely the quotient by $D=\overline{G^p[G,G]}$ is an abelian pro-p group of exponent $p$. If an element of this quotient is nontrivial, some finite elementary abelian quotient detects it; a linear functional to ${\mathbb{F}}_p$ then detects it as well. Its group homomorphism kernel pulls back to a maximal open subgroup of $G$. Thus the intersection of these kernels is exactly $D$.

We also use the topological generation criterion: a subset generates $G$ topologically if and only if its image generates $G/\Phi (G)$ topologically. To prove the nontrivial direction, a proper closed generated subgroup $K$ lies in a proper open subgroup $KN$ for a suitably small open normal $N$, and hence in a maximal open subgroup obtained from the finite quotient $G/N$. Since that maximal subgroup contains $\Phi (G)$, the image of $K$ cannot generate the Frattini quotient.

Now suppose $G$ is a nontrivial procyclic pro-p group. If it had distinct maximal open subgroups $M_1,M_2$, the homomorphism to $C_p\times C_p$ induced by the two quotient maps would be onto: its projections are onto, and a proper such subgroup would be a one-dimensional graph, forcing the two kernels to coincide. Hence $G/(M_1\cap M_2)\cong C_p^2$, contradicting procyclicity. Thus there is exactly one maximal open subgroup $M$, and $\Phi (G)=M$. Any $g\notin M$ generates $G/\Phi (G)\cong C_p$, so the criterion givesFor the trivial group use its identity as generator. The additive group ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$ is an infinite example, topologically generated by $1$: its finite continuous quotients are cyclic $\mathbb{Z}/p^n\mathbb{Z}$.

For odd $p$, a subgroup $N$ is powerfully embedded in $G$ if $[N,G]\le N^p$, where $N^p=⟨n^p:n\in N⟩$. The condition implies normality since $n^g=n[n,g]\in N$. The group $G$ is a powerful p-group if $[G,G]\le G^p$, equivalently if $G$ itself is powerfully embedded. For a finite p-group, the Burnside basis theorem gives $d(Q)={\dim }_{{\mathbb{F}}_p}Q/\Phi (Q)$, and $\Phi (Q)=Q^p[Q,Q]$. Thus for powerful $Q$, $d(Q)=\dim Q/Q^p$.

We prove $d(H)\le d(G)$ by induction on $|G|$, with the trivial group immediate. The supplied embedding result applied to $N=G$ makes $G^p$ powerfully embedded, and hence powerful. It is a proper subgroup when $G\ne 1$, because $G^p=\Phi (G)$ is proper in a nontrivial finite p-group. SetAll the displayed quotients are elementary abelian. The supplied onto homomorphism $\theta :V\to W$, $x{G}^p\mapsto x^p{G}^{p^2}$, is therefore linear. Write $v=\dim V=d(G)$, $w=\dim W=d(G^p)$, $r=\dim A$, and $t=\dim \theta (A)$.

Since $H/K$ embeds in $V$, $\Phi (H)\le K$. AlsoHere $(G^p{)}^p=G^{p^2}$ is the iterated-power convention, valid for powerful groups. Hence the natural map $K/\Phi (K)\to W$ is defined. The image under this map of the subspace $\Phi (H)/\Phi (K)$ contains $\theta (A)$, because for every $h\in H$ its power $h^p$ lies in $\Phi (H)\cap K$. It follows thatThe exact sequence $1\to K/\Phi (H)\to H/\Phi (H)\to H/K\to 1$ consists of elementary abelian groups, and $\dim H/K=r$. By induction inside $G^p$, $d(K)\le d(G^p)=w$. ThereforeThis proves $d(H)\le d(G)$, including subgroups $H$ that are not themselves powerful.

The rank of a profinite group is $\mathrm{rk}(P)=\sup \{d(K):K\le P\text{ closed}\}$, where $d(K)$ is its least topological generator number. If $P$ has finite rank then every closed subgroup, including the open subgroup $H$, has no larger rank. Conversely suppose $H$ has rank $r<\infty$. Its normal core $C={\bigcap }_{g\in P}{H}^g$ is an open normal subgroup: there are finitely many conjugates because $H$ has finite index. It has rank at most $r$.

For every closed $K\le P$, the subgroup $K\cap C$ is normal in $K$ and has at most $r$ topological generators. The quotient $K/(K\cap C)$ embeds in the finite group $P/C$. A finite group of order at most $M=[P:C]$ has at most $\lfloor {\log }_{2}M\rfloor$ generators: in a minimal sequential generating list every strict enlargement at least doubles the subgroup order. Lift such quotient generators and adjoin generators of $K\cap C$. Their closed generated subgroup contains the group homomorphism kernel and maps onto the quotient, so equals $K$. ConsequentlyThus an open subgroup has finite rank exactly when the whole profinite group does.

Write $k={\mathbb{F}}_p$. The Nottingham group $\mathcal{N}$ is the set of formal series $f(t)=t+{\sum }_{i\ge 2}{a}_i{t}^i$ over $k$, with ordinary composition $f\circ g$ as multiplication and the $t$-adic topology. The identity is $t$. A compositional inverse exists uniquely by solving its coefficients successively, since the linear coefficient is $1$.

Equivalently $\mathcal{N}$ is the group of continuous $k$-automorphisms of $k((t))$ whose action on $(t)/(t^2)$ is the identity. Such an automorphism is determined by the image of $t$, which is $t+O(t^2)$. To identify this with ordinary series composition without reversing multiplication, send $f$ to the automorphism $h(t)\mapsto h(f^{-1}(t))$. Its composite with the automorphism for $g$ is the one for $f\circ g$.

The depth filtration isEach ${\mathcal{N}}_m$ is open and normal, and the coefficient of $t^{m+1}$ identifies ${\mathcal{N}}_m/{\mathcal{N}}_{m+1}$ with $(k,+)$. Thus $[\mathcal{N}:{\mathcal{N}}_m]=p^{m-1}$, and $\mathcal{N}$ is the inverse limit of its finite p-group truncations.

Here is a local-field proof that every finite p-group embeds in $\mathcal{N}$. We first establish the realization step rather than assume the Nottingham embedding itself. Put $F=k((t))$ and $\Gamma =\mathrm{Gal}(F^{\mathrm{sep}}/F)$, and let $I⊴\Gamma$ be the inertia subgroup, the group homomorphism kernel of the action on the algebraic closure of the residue field. We use the standard additive normal basis theorem consequence $H^j(\Gamma ,F^{\mathrm{sep}})=0$ for $j>0$. It follows by taking direct limits of the finite-Galois normal-basis modules, whose additive cohomology vanishes. The Artin-Schreier sequencethen givesThe classes $t^{-m}$ for positive $m$ prime to $p$ are linearly independent: a nonzero finite linear combination has a most negative valuation prime to $p$, whereas a negative valuation of $z^p-z$ is divisible by $p$. Thus there are infinitely many independent continuous characters $\Gamma \to C_p$.

Induct on the order of a finite p-group $E$. Choose a central subgroup $C\cong C_p$ and put $Q=E/C$. By induction there is an onto map $\varphi :\Gamma \to Q$ with $\varphi (I)=Q$, corresponding to a totally ramified $Q$-extension. The central extension $1\to C\to E\to Q\to 1$ is specified by a two-cocycle. Its pullback along $\varphi$ is a coboundary because $H^2(\Gamma ,{\mathbb{F}}_p)=0$. Correcting a set-theoretic section by that coboundary gives a continuous homomorphism ${\rho }_0:\Gamma \to E$ lifting $\varphi$.

We must make the lift onto on inertia, not merely onto on the whole Galois group. Let $A=I\cap \ker \varphi$. On $A$, the lift ${\rho }_0$ takes values in $C$. Characters vanishing on $A$ form a finite-dimensional space: $\Gamma /A$ has a finite subgroup $I/A\cong Q$ and procyclic quotient $\Gamma /I\cong \hat{\mathbb{Z}}$, so a character is determined by finitely many values on generators of these two pieces. The infinite-dimensional character space therefore has infinitely many distinct restrictions to $A$. Choose a character $\chi :\Gamma \to C$ whose restriction to $A$ does not cancel ${\rho }_0{|}_A$, and set $\rho (\gamma )=\chi (\gamma ){\rho }_0(\gamma )$. Centrality of $C$ makes this another homomorphism lifting $\varphi$. Its image on $A$ is nontrivial and hence all of $C$, while its image on $I$ maps onto $Q$. Therefore $\rho (I)=E$. The fixed field of $\ker \rho$ is the required totally ramified finite Galois extension $K/F$ with group $E$. This proves the realization step for every finite p-group.

Since the residue field of $K$ is still $k$, choosing a uniformizer $u$ identifies $K$ with $k((u))$. Indeed successive subtraction of its residue coefficient and division by $u$ gives each element of its valuation ring a unique convergent expansion ${\sum }_{i\ge 0}{b}_i{u}^i$ with $b_i\in k$, and fractions give the Laurent expansions. Each element of $E$ preserves the valuation and fixes $k$, so sends $u$ to $a_{1}u+a_2{u}^2+\cdots$. The linear coefficient is a homomorphism $E\to k^{\times }$. Since $E$ is a $p$-group and $|k^{\times }|=p-1$, that homomorphism is trivial. Thus the faithful Galois action lies in $\mathcal{N}(k)$, completing the embedding proof.

An infinite profinite group is hereditarily just infinite when every open subgroup is infinite and every nontrivial closed normal subgroup of each such open subgroup is open. We sketch the normal-subgroup argument, giving the depth calculation in odd characteristic explicitly. For series of depths $r,s$,where $[f,g]=f^{-1}\circ g^{-1}\circ f\circ g$. The coefficient follows by comparing $f\circ g$ and $g\circ f$ in degree $r+s+1$: their cross terms are $ab(r+1)$ and $ab(s+1)$.

Let $H$ be open and $1\ne K⊴H$ closed. Choose $m$ with ${\mathcal{N}}_m\le H$ and choose $f\in K$ of depth $r$. For every $j\ge m$ with $j\not\equiv r(\mathrm{mod}p)$, commutation with $t+b{t}^{j+1}$ supplies an element of $K$ of depth $r+j$, with any prescribed nonzero leading coefficient by varying $b$. Thus every sufficiently high layer except possibly depths congruent to $2r$ modulo $p$ occurs in $K$.

When $p$ is odd, choose one available depth $u\ge r+m$ with $u\not\equiv 2r,r(\mathrm{mod}p)$. Such a residue exists even for $p=3$. An element $h\in K$ of that depth can be commuted with $t+b{t}^{k-u+1}$ for every sufficiently large missing depth $k\equiv 2r(\mathrm{mod}p)$. The new leading coefficient contains $2u-k\equiv 2(u-r)\ne 0$, so those missing layers occur too. Hence $K$ contains an element with any chosen coefficient in every depth $k\ge M$, for some $M$.

Successive coefficient correction now proves ${\mathcal{N}}_M\le K$: match the coefficient of an arbitrary target in depth $M$ by an element of $K$, correct the error in depth $M+1$, and continue. The partial products converge $t$-adically to the target and remain in $K$, which is closed. Thus $K$ is open. This proves hereditary just infiniteness for odd $p$.

For characteristic two, the leading coefficient alone misses even depths. The standard characteristic-two normal-closure collection lemma supplies the needed extra input: for every $m\ge 1$ and every nonidentity $f\in \mathcal{N}({\mathbb{F}}_2)$, the closed subgroup generated by the conjugates $f^g$ with $g\in {\mathcal{N}}_m$ contains ${\mathcal{N}}_M$ for some $M$. Its proof retains the next coefficients in pairs of group commutators to fill the parity gaps, then uses the same successive coefficient correction. Apply this lemma to $f\in K$ and ${\mathcal{N}}_m\le H$: every such conjugate lies in $K$, so $K$ contains the tail and is open. This states the additional collection result used in the characteristic-two sketch; the odd-prime leading-term argument is not being applied there. Since every open subgroup contains a tail and is infinite, the Nottingham group is hereditarily just infinite for every prime $p$.

We construct an infinite residually finite torsion group using the Golod-Shafarevich infinitude criterion for pro-p groups. Its useful form says that a pro-$p$ presentation on $d$ generators with relators $r_i$ gives an infinite pro-p group wheneverHere $D$ is the Magnus degree of a free pro-p group element: map each generator to $1+X_j$ in a noncommutative power-series algebra over ${\mathbb{F}}_p$, and take the lowest degree of $w-1$. The criterion permits infinitely many relators with a convergent weight sum. It is a consequence of the Golod-Shafarevich inequality for the completed group algebra; see Ershov's survey, Theorem 3.1.

Take $p=2$, $d=2$, and $\tau =3/4$. Let $F$ be the free pro-p group on $a,b$, and enumerate all ordinary finite words $w_1,w_2,\dots$ in these generators and their inverses. Choose integers $e_i$ sufficiently large thatForm the quotient pro-p groupwhere the bar means the closed normal closure. If the Magnus image of $w_i$ is $1+v_i$, characteristic two givesfor nonidentity $w_i$; identity relators contribute zero weight. It follows thatThus the Golod-Shafarevich infinitude criterion for pro-p groups proves that $P$ is infinite.

Let $G=⟨\bar{a},\bar{b}⟩$ be the abstract subgroup generated by the two images inside $P$. This subgroup is dense because the two images topologically generate the quotient, and it is infinite: a finite subgroup of a Hausdorff profinite group is closed, so could not be dense in infinite $P$. Every element of $G$ is the image of some ordinary word $w_i$, and the imposed relation makes its order divide $2^{e_i}$. Therefore $G$ is a two-generated torsion group. Finally $P$ is an inverse limit of finite 2-groups. Any nonidentity element of $G$ is nonidentity in $P$ and hence has a nonidentity image in one of those finite groups. Restricting that map to $G$ proves that it is a residually finite group. We have obtainedThe abstract subgroup $G$ is essential here: the argument establishes finite order for ordinary words, not for every topological limit in the ambient pro-p group.

There is no surjective homomorphism from this group to an infinite soluble group. In fact finitely generated soluble torsion groups are finite. To prove this, let $S$ be finitely generated, soluble and torsion, and induct on its derived length. In the abelian case, finitely many generators of finite orders generate a finite group. In general the abelianization $S/S^{\prime }$ is a finitely generated abelian torsion group, hence finite. Its kernel $S^{\prime }$ therefore has finite index and is finitely generated by Schreier's lemma. Explicitly, for a finite coset transversal $T$ containing $1$ and a finite symmetric generating set $X$, the finitely many elements $tx{\overline{tx}}^{-1}$ generate the finite-index subgroup, where the bar denotes the chosen representative of the coset. Now $S^{\prime }$ is torsion and has smaller derived length, so induction makes it finite. Hence $S$ is finite as well. Every quotient of $G$ is finitely generated and torsion, so any soluble quotient must be finite.

A topological group is a group equipped with a topology for which multiplication $G\times G\to G$ and inversion $G\to G$ are continuous maps. The product uses the product topology. Translation and inversion are therefore homeomorphisms. Hausdorffness is sometimes included in the definition; the two open-subgroup arguments below do not require it.

For the inverse system, take a directed set $I$, topological spaces $X_i$, and continuous maps $f_{ij}:X_j\to X_i$ for $i\le j$, with $f_{ii}=\mathrm{id}$ and $f_{ik}=f_{ij}{f}_{jk}$. An inverse limit is a space $X$ with compatible continuous maps ${\pi }_i:X\to X_i$ such that every compatible family $q_i:Y\to X_i$ factors uniquely as $q_i={\pi }_{i}q$ through a continuous map $q:Y\to X$. Existence follows from the concrete constructionwith the subspace topology of the product topology. The only possible map $q$ is $q(y)=(q_i(y){)}_i$. Compatibility puts its image in $X$, and coordinatewise continuity makes it continuous. This proves the universal property of an inverse limit, even when $X$ is empty. Given two inverse limits, their universal properties supply maps each way; the composites have the same coordinates as the identity, so uniqueness makes them identities. The inverse limit exists and is unique up to the unique homeomorphism respecting its projections.

A profinite group can be defined as an inverse limit of finite discrete groups, or as a compact Hausdorff space that is a totally disconnected space, equipped with continuous group operations. For the first implication, use the Tychonoff theorem. The compatibility equalities define a closed subgroup of the compact Hausdorff product. Two distinct points are distinguished by a finite discrete coordinate, so no connected subset contains both. Consequently the inverse limit is a compact Hausdorff totally disconnected topological group.

For the converse, use the topological result that a compact Hausdorff totally disconnected space has a basis of clopen sets. Choose a clopen set $U$ containing $1$ inside any specified identity neighbourhood. For each $u\in U$, continuity gives an identity neighbourhood $V_u$ and an open neighbourhood $W_u$ of $u$ with $V_u{W}_u\subseteq U$. Finitely many $W_u$ cover the compact set $U$. Intersect their $V_u$ and its inverse to obtain a symmetric identity neighbourhood $V$ with $VU\subseteq U$. Symmetry also gives $V^{-1}U\subseteq U$, and hence $vU=U$ for every $v\in V$. The setis a subgroup containing $V$, so it is open. It is contained in $U$, since $1\in U$ and $h=h\cdot 1\in hU=U$. By part (ii), $H$ has finite index. Its normal core of a subgroup is a finite intersection of conjugates of $H$, hence an open normal subgroup $N$ contained in $U$. This proves the open normal subgroup basis of a profinite group.

The natural group homomorphismis injective because the intersection of these $N$ is $\{1\}$. For a compatible family of cosets, any finitely many have nonempty intersection: their intersection subgroup is another indexing subgroup, and its prescribed coset lies in each. The finite intersection property and compactness give a point belonging to all the cosets, proving surjectivity. Finally a continuous bijection from a compact space to a Hausdorff space is a homeomorphism. The two definitions of profinite group are equivalent.