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For a field $F$ of characteristic $p$, the exact sequence $0\to {\mathbb{F}}_p\to F^{\mathrm{sep}}\stackrel{z\mapsto z^p-z}{\to }{F}^{\mathrm{sep}}\to 0$, together with additive normal-basis acyclicity, gives $H^2(\mathrm{Gal}(F^{\mathrm{sep}}/F),{\mathbb{F}}_p)=0$. Consequently every central finite embedding problem with group homomorphism kernel $C_p$ has a continuous weak solution: its pulled-back two-cocycle is a coboundary, whose correcting one-cochain supplies the lift. Over ${\mathbb{F}}_p((t))$, independent Artin–Schreier classes $t^{-m}$, with $m>0$ prime to $p$, allow the lift to be twisted by characters so that inertia maps onto the group homomorphism kernel as well as onto the original quotient. Induction through central order-$p$ quotients therefore realizes every finite p-group as the Galois group of a totally ramified extension with residue field ${\mathbb{F}}_p$.

A p-adic field has only finitely many extensions of a fixed degree up to isomorphism. There are finitely many possible residue degrees and a unique unramified extension of each such degree. Over each maximal unramified subfield, a totally ramified extension is generated by a root of an Eisenstein polynomial. The coefficient space of these polynomials of fixed degree is compact. Hensel lemma and Krasner's lemma show that sufficiently close polynomials generate isomorphic extensions, giving a finite cover by neighborhoods of a constant extension type.

Realize a finite p-group $P$ as the Galois group of a totally ramified extension $E/{\mathbb{F}}_p((t))$, using Artin-Schreier embedding problems over a characteristic-p field. A uniformizer $u$ of $E$ gives $E\cong {\mathbb{F}}_p((u))$: every element has a unique convergent Laurent expansion with coefficients in the residue field. An automorphism has $u\mapsto a_{1}u+a_2{u}^2+\cdots$, and $a_1$ defines a homomorphism $P\to {\mathbb{F}}_p^{\times }$. Its image is trivial because $|P|$ is a $p$-power and $p\nmid |{\mathbb{F}}_p^{\times }|$. Thus the faithful Galois action lies in the Nottingham group, embedding $P$.

For the finite Galois extension, normalize the discrete valuation $v_L$ to have value group $\mathbb{Z}$. The inertia group isThe lower ramification numbering isThe wild inertia group is $P=G_1$, and the tame inertia quotient is $I/P$. We will prove that $P$ is a $p$-group, where $p=\mathrm{char}{k}_K$, and that $I/P$ is cyclic of order prime to $p$. Tame inertia here is a quotient, not a specified canonical subgroup complementary to $P$.

First reduce the inertia calculation to a totally ramified extension. Choose $\bar{b}$ generating the finite residue extension $k_L/k_K$. Its minimal polynomial is separable. Lift that monic polynomial to $f\in {\mathcal{O}}_K[X]$, and use Hensel lemma in ${\mathcal{O}}_L$ to obtain a root $b$ with residue $\bar{b}$. Irreducibility of the reduction implies irreducibility of $f$ over $K$, by the monic form of the Gauss lemma for polynomials over a discrete valuation ring. Thus $K_0=K(b)$ has degree $[k_L:k_K]$ and residue field $k_L$; the degree formula makes $K_0/K$ unramified. An automorphism fixes $b$ precisely when it fixes $\bar{b}$: the nontrivial direction is uniqueness in Hensel lemma. Hence $I=\mathrm{Gal}(L/K_0)$, and $L/K_0$ is totally ramified.

Use the permitted integral-generation fact ${\mathcal{O}}_L={\mathcal{O}}_{K_0}[{\pi }_L]$. Every element of $I$ fixes the coefficients in this expression. The identity $\sigma ({\pi }_L^j)-{\pi }_L^j=(\sigma {\pi }_L-{\pi }_L){\sum }_{h=0}^{j-1}(\sigma {\pi }_L{)}^h{\pi }_L^{j-1-h}$ consequently proves the uniformizer criterion for lower ramification groups:Necessity follows by testing $x={\pi }_L$, and the displayed power identity proves sufficiency for every integral polynomial in ${\pi }_L$.

Define the uniformizer character of inertiaIt is multiplicative: writing $u_{\tau }=\tau {\pi }_L/{\pi }_L$, one has $\sigma \tau {\pi }_L/{\pi }_L=\sigma (u_{\tau })(\sigma {\pi }_L/{\pi }_L)$, and $\sigma$ acts trivially on residue units. Its kernel is exactly $v_L(\sigma {\pi }_L-{\pi }_L)\ge 2$, namely $G_1$. Changing the uniformizer to $u{\pi }_L$ leaves the residue character unchanged, since $\overline{\sigma (u)/u}=1$. ThereforeEvery finite subgroup of a field's multiplicative group is cyclic: if its exponent is $m$, every element is a root of $X^m-1$, so its order is at most $m$; a finite abelian group has an element of order its exponent, constructed by multiplying elements of maximal prime-power orders, so its order is at least $m$. Equality makes it cyclic. Here $k_L^{\times }$ has order $|k_L|-1$, prime to $p$. We have proved

To verify the assertion about wild inertia as well, for $i\ge 1$ defineWrite $\sigma {\pi }_L={\pi }_L+a{\pi }_L^{i+1}$ and $\tau {\pi }_L={\pi }_L+b{\pi }_L^{i+1}$. Composition gives $\sigma \tau {\pi }_L\equiv {\pi }_L+(a+b){\pi }_L^{i+1}(\mathrm{mod}{\pi }_L^{i+2})$, because inertia fixes residues and $i\ge 1$. Thus ${\theta }_i$ is additive with kernel $G_{i+1}$. Thus positive ramification quotients are elementary abelian: each $G_i/G_{i+1}$ is a subgroup of the additive finite field, hence an elementary abelian $p$-group.

Finally the filtration terminates: a nonidentity element of $I$ cannot fix ${\pi }_L$, since it already fixes $K_0$ and ${\mathcal{O}}_L={\mathcal{O}}_{K_0}[{\pi }_L]$. Its displacement has finite valuation, and there are only finitely many automorphisms. Iterating the finite $p$-group quotients gives that $P$ is a $p$-group. It is normal in $I$ and has prime-to-$p$ quotient, so it is its unique Sylow $p$-subgroup, justifying the wild inertia terminology.

All the local fields here carry normalized discrete valuations. Write ${\mathcal{O}}_F$ for the valuation ring, ${\mathfrak{m}}_F$ for its maximal ideal, and $k_F$ for its residue field. We use the basic degree identity $[B:A]=e(B/A)f(B/A)$ for finite extensions of non-Archimedean local fields, with $e$ the ramification index and $f$ the residue degree.

First construct the maximal unramified subextension of a local field extension inside an arbitrary finite extension $L/K$. Choose a primitive element of a field extension $\bar{z}$ for the finite residue field extension $k_L/k_K$. Let $\bar{h}$ be its monic irreducible minimal polynomial of an algebraic element, of degree $f$, and lift its coefficients to obtain a monic $h\in {\mathcal{O}}_K[T]$ of the same degree. Finite finite fields are perfect fields, so ${\bar{h}}^{\prime }(\bar{z})\ne 0$. By Hensel lemma applied in $L$, there is $z\in {\mathcal{O}}_L$ reducing to $\bar{z}$ with $h(z)=0$. For $U=K(z)$ we haveEvery inequality is therefore an equality. In particular $U/K$ is unramified, $k_U=k_L$, and $h$ is the minimal polynomial of an algebraic element $z$.

If $L/K$ is unramified, then $[L:K]=f$, so this construction gives $U=L$. Taking $x=z$ supplies the required generator, and $h^{\prime }(x)$ is a unit. Conversely suppose $L=K(x)$ with $x$ integral and its monic minimal polynomial of an algebraic element $g$ satisfying $g^{\prime }(x)\notin {\mathfrak{m}}_L$. Its coefficients lie in ${\mathcal{O}}_K$, since all conjugates of an integral element are integral and $K$ is complete. In the constructed unramified extension $U$ the element $\bar{x}\in k_U=k_L$ is a simple root of $\bar{g}$. Hensel lemma in $U$ produces a root $x^{\prime }\in U$ with residue $\bar{x}$. In $L$ both $x$ and $x^{\prime }$ lift this same simple residue root, so Hensel uniqueness gives $x=x^{\prime }$. Thus $L\subseteq U\subseteq L$, proving

For lifting residue-field embeddings of unramified extensions, use the generator $z$ and polynomial $h$ just constructed when $L/K$ is unramified. Given a $k_K$-field homomorphism $\iota :k_L\to k_M$, its value $\iota (\bar{z})$ is a simple root of $\bar{h}$. Hensel lemma in $M$ produces the unique root $z^{\prime }\in {\mathcal{O}}_M$ with that residue. The assignment $z\mapsto z^{\prime }$ defines a $K$-field homomorphism $K[T]/(h)\to M$; it induces $\iota$ because $\bar{z}$ generates $k_L$. Conversely any such field homomorphism preserves the unique extended valuation, hence induces a residue field homomorphism, and its image of $z$ is uniquely forced by Hensel uniqueness. This proves the asserted bijection. The same proof only requires that $M$ be a non-Archimedean local field containing $K$ with its compatible valuation; its finiteness over $K$ is not essential.

Now set $M=L$. The finite residue field extension has exactly $f=[L:K]$ automorphisms, cyclically generated by $a\mapsto a^{|k_K|}$. Their unique lifts give $[L:K]$ automorphisms of $L$. Consequently $L/K$ is a Galois extension, and reduction identifies its Galois group with that cyclic residue Galois group. Its generator is the arithmetic Frobenius:

For the compositum, choose a uniformizer ${\pi }_M$ of the totally ramified extension $M/K$. The Eisenstein generator of a totally ramified extension characterization, proved in the next solution, says that $M=K({\pi }_M)$ and its minimal polynomial of an algebraic element is Eisenstein over ${\mathcal{O}}_K$. A uniformizer of $K$ remains a uniformizer in the unramified extension $L$. All its Eisenstein coefficient conditions therefore remain true over ${\mathcal{O}}_L$. Thus the same Eisenstein polynomial is irreducible over $L$ and generates $LM=L({\pi }_M)$ as a totally ramified extension. This proves $LM/L$ is totally ramified, of degree $[M:K]$.

Here is an explicit example showing that the converse decomposition of an arbitrary extension can fail. Take $K={\mathbb{Q}}_3$ and $L=K(i)$ with $i^2=-1$. Since $T^2+1$ is irreducible and separable modulo three, the degree and residue-degree argument above shows that $L/K$ is unramified quadratic. PutThe element $1+i$ is a unit in ${\mathcal{O}}_L$, so $T^2-3(1+i)$ is Eisenstein over $L$. Hence $[N:L]=2$, $e(N/K)=2$, and $f(N/K)=2$. Moreover $i={\alpha }^2/3-1$ gives $N=K(\alpha )$, withWe verify its Galois group, since that is what rules out a totally ramified complement. By Hensel lemma there is $r\in K$ with $r^2=-2$: the residue root $1$ of $T^2+2$ is simple modulo three. Set $\beta =(1+i)/r$. ThenThe assignments $\sigma (i)=-i$ and $\sigma (\alpha )=\beta \alpha$ respect the defining relation, because $(\beta \alpha {)}^2=-3i(1+i)=3(1-i)$. They therefore define a $K$-automorphism of $N$. Its square satisfies ${\sigma }^2(i)=i$ and ${\sigma }^2(\alpha )=\bar{\beta }\beta \alpha =-\alpha$, so $\sigma$ has order four. There are thus four automorphisms of the degree-four extension, andThis is the cyclic quartic local extension without a totally ramified complement. Its unique quadratic subfield is $L$, fixed by ${\sigma }^2$, and is unramified. If $N=L^{\prime }{M}^{\prime }$ with $L^{\prime }/K$ unramified and $M^{\prime }/K$ totally ramified, then $[L^{\prime }:K]\le f(N/K)=2$ and $[M^{\prime }:K]\le e(N/K)=2$. To obtain the full degree four both would have degree two, forcing $M^{\prime }$ to be a totally ramified quadratic subfield. There is no such subfield. Thus $N/{\mathbb{Q}}_3$ is the required counterexample.

Fix a non-Archimedean local field $K$, write $Q=|k_K|$, and use the arithmetic Frobenius normalization throughout: a uniformizer maps to the automorphism inducing $a\mapsto a^Q$ on the maximal unramified extension. The Local Artin map, or local reciprocity map, is the canonical continuous group homomorphismwhere $K^{\mathrm{ab}}$ is the maximal abelian extension inside a fixed algebraic closure with its separable part understood. Its finite projection to every finite abelian extension $L/K$ is onto and has kernel exactly the norm subgroup of a local field extension:In particular, the quotient has order $[L:K]$. This is how local class field theory turns abelian extension problems into computations inside a multiplicative group.

One precise definition of the finite reciprocity map uses the cup-product construction of local reciprocity. For a finite Galois extension with group $G$, the local fundamental class $u_{L/K}\in H^2(G,L^{\times })$ is specified by local Brauer invariant $1/[L:K]$. Cup product gives an isomorphismThe finite Local Artin map is its inverse, composed with the quotient map from $K^{\times }$. For abelian $G$ the target is $G$ itself. Taking the compatible inverse limit over finite abelian extensions defines ${\mathrm{Art}}_K$.

The essential inputs to this cohomological construction have concrete arithmetic content. The local Brauer invariant identifies $\mathrm{Br}(K)$ with $\mathbb{Q}/\mathbb{Z}$; restriction to $L$ multiplies the invariant by $[L:K]$, so its kernel is cyclic of that order and has the distinguished generator $u_{L/K}$. For every subgroup $H\subseteq G$, Hilbert theorem 90 gives $H^1(H,L^{\times })=0$, while the same invariant calculation over the fixed field gives $H^2(H,L^{\times })$ cyclic of order $|H|$. These are the hypotheses of the algebraic cup-product isomorphism in Tate cohomology of a finite group. It is obtained by dimension shifting in group cohomology with a projective resolution of the trivial module and the extension representing the fundamental class. Thus the norm-kernel statement comes from the degree-zero definition of Tate cohomology of a finite group, rather than from an arbitrary assignment of an automorphism to each element. In an unramified extension of degree $d$, the fundamental class is the cyclic algebra with arithmetic Frobenius generator and parameter a uniformizer; the isomorphism sends that Frobenius to the class of the uniformizer. This explains the chosen sign of reciprocity.

Several properties follow immediately from this construction. If $L\supseteq E\supseteq K$ are finite abelian extensions, restricting ${\mathrm{Art}}_{L/K}(a)$ to $E$ gives ${\mathrm{Art}}_{E/K}(a)$. The Local Artin map is therefore compatible with the finite projections defining its infinite target. For any finite separable extension $E/K$ and $a\in E^{\times }$, its norm compatibility isHere $K^{\mathrm{ab}}E/E$ is abelian, so the displayed restriction makes sense. An outline of the compatibility proof is to use the corestriction map in group cohomology: on multiplicative coefficients its degree-zero map is the norm. The cup-product projection formula, together with restriction and corestriction of the local fundamental class, gives exactly the commuting reciprocity diagram. The compatibility is an arithmetic instance of the functoriality of the cohomological definition.

The Local Artin map has dense image, because every finite abelian quotient receives a surjective map. Its kernel is trivial, and it extends to an isomorphismwhere this profinite completion uses the open finite-index subgroups of the topological multiplicative group. The original map is generally not onto: on the unramified quotient it sends the integer valuation into $\hat{\mathbb{Z}}$, rather than producing every profinite integer. Its units map onto the abelian inertia group. For a finite abelian extension, the corresponding unit image is its inertia group, while the valuation accounts for its residue extension. Indeed $v_K(Nz)=f(L/K)v_L(z)$, so the valuation quotient has order $f$; the full norm quotient has order $ef$, leaving unit image of order $e$. Since unit images act trivially on the residue field, they give precisely the inertia group. More finely, the image of the higher principal-unit group $1+{\mathfrak{m}}_K^r$ in a finite abelian extension is its rth upper ramification group, for each integer $r\ge 1$. The use of upper ramification numbering is essential for compatibility with quotients.

The existence theorem of local class field theory states that every open finite-index subgroup $H\subseteq K^{\times }$ is $N_{L/K}(L^{\times })$ for a unique finite abelian extension $L/K$. Inclusions are reversed: larger extensions have smaller norm subgroups. In the established reciprocity isomorphism, the proof is simply to take the fixed field of the open subgroup corresponding to $H$. Conversely a finite extension gives an open kernel of a finite continuous projection. Uniqueness follows because that kernel specifies its fixed field. The substantive existence problem is therefore to prove that the reciprocity isomorphism realizes all open finite-index subgroups; it is not just this final fixed-field argument.

The Lubin–Tate description of local reciprocity provides an explicit route to that existence problem. Choose a uniformizer $\pi$ and a Lubin–Tate series $f(T)=\pi T+T^Q$, with its associated Lubin–Tate formal group $F$. Solving $f(F(X,Y))=F(f(X),f(Y))$ successively by total degree constructs the law with linear part $X+Y$; the analogous equations construct the endomorphisms $[a]$ with linear coefficient $a$. The congruence $f(T)\equiv T^Q(\mathrm{mod}\pi )$ supplies the divisibility needed at each step. These endomorphisms satisfy $[a][b]=[ab]$ and make the torsion an ${\mathcal{O}}_K$-module.

If $f_r$ denotes the rfold iterate, the primitive level-r Lubin–Tate torsion points are roots ofReduction modulo $\pi$ is $T^{Q^{r-1}(Q-1)}$, and the constant term is $\pi$, so this is an Eisenstein polynomial. Its roots therefore generate a totally ramified extension $K_{\pi ,r}$ of degree $(Q-1)Q^{r-1}$. A primitive point generates the entire torsion module, and all points are its images under the integral convergent endomorphisms $[a]$. The torsion field is therefore a Galois extension of $K$. The action map into $({\mathcal{O}}_K/{\pi }^r{)}^{\times }$ is injective, and the computed degree equals the order of this unit group, proving it is an isomorphism. Passing to the inverse limit gives $\mathrm{Gal}(K_{\pi }/K)\simeq {\mathcal{O}}_K^{\times }$ for the Lubin–Tate tower $K_{\pi }$.

The unramified tower and $K_{\pi }$ are linearly disjoint field extensions: a finite common subextension would be both unramified and totally ramified, hence trivial. The Lubin–Tate description of local reciprocity on their compositum isThe inverse on the unit action goes with the arithmetic Frobenius convention; changing to geometric Frobenius inverts the whole reciprocity map. The reciprocity theorem identifies this explicit action with the finite cup-product maps, independently of the chosen uniformizer. Its proof compares the fundamental class with the norm relations between consecutive torsion fields. The construction makes the possible finite kernels concrete: on the compositum of the degree-d unramified field with $K_{\pi ,r}$ the kernel isThese subgroups are cofinal among open finite-index subgroups. Indeed any such $H$ contains $1+{\pi }^r{\mathcal{O}}_K$ for sufficiently large $r$, and contains ${\pi }^d$ for some positive $d$, since the class of $\pi$ in $K^{\times }/H$ has finite order. Taking the appropriate fixed subgroup in this explicit finite compositum realizes $H$. This proves the open-subgroup part of existence once the norm compatibility of the explicit and cohomological constructions is established. Together with the finite reciprocity maps it also shows that $K^{\mathrm{ab}}=K^{\mathrm{nr}}{K}_{\pi }$.

As a direct check, on a finite unramified extension the construction reduces toThe earlier elementary unit-norm proof shows its kernel is exactly ${\pi }^{d\mathbb{Z}}{\mathcal{O}}_K^{\times }$. At $K={\mathbb{Q}}_p$, the Lubin–Tate cyclotomic example takes $[p](T)=(1+T{)}^p-1$ and $F(X,Y)=X+Y+XY$. Its torsion is $\zeta -1$, so a unit $u$ acts by $\zeta \mapsto {\zeta }^{u^{-1}}$. These examples exhibit both the valuation and unit parts of local reciprocity with consistent signs.

Let $L/K$ be a finite Galois extension of non-Archimedean local fields, with Galois group $G$, normalized valuation $v_L$, integer ring ${\mathcal{O}}_L$, and residue characteristic $p$. The lower ramification numbering isThese higher ramification groups measure successively finer agreement with the identity. The group $G_0$ is the inertia group, the kernel of the action on the residue field. Each $G_i$ is normal in $G$: conjugation permutes integral elements and preserves their valuations. The groups eventually become trivial, since each nonidentity automorphism moves some integral element and its displacement has finite valuation.

Let $K_0=L^{G_0}$, the maximal unramified subextension of a local field extension. Then $G/G_0$ is the Galois group of the residue extension, cyclic and generated by a Frobenius automorphism. For a uniformizer $\pi$ of $L$, the uniformizer criterion for lower ramification groups givesTo see why one uniformizer suffices, the extension $L/K_0$ is totally ramified and its integer ring is ${\mathcal{O}}_{K_0}[\pi ]$. Elements of $G_0$ fix its coefficients. Differences of powers of $\pi$ are divisible by $\sigma \pi -\pi$, so the valuation bound for $\pi$ implies it for every integral element. The converse follows by testing $\pi$ itself.

The tame inertia quotient is seen explicitly fromIt is a homomorphism because inertia acts trivially on the residue field, and its kernel is $G_1$. Thus $G_0/G_1$ is cyclic of order not divisible by $p$. For $i\ge 1$, the homomorphismhas kernel $G_{i+1}$. Indeed composing two automorphisms adds the leading displacements, since $\sigma \pi /\pi \equiv 1$ and inertia fixes residue coefficients. Hence each $G_i/G_{i+1}$ is an elementary abelian p-group. Eventual triviality makes $G_1$ a p-group; the prime-to-p quotient makes it the unique Sylow subgroup of $G_0$. This is the wild inertia group. Tame ramification means $G_1=1$.

The filtration also measures the different exponent. For the totally ramified extension over $K_0$, the minimal polynomial of an algebraic element $g$ of $\pi$ has polynomial roots $\sigma \pi$, $\sigma \in G_0$. The derivative formula givesFor a fixed $\sigma$, its displacement valuation is the number of indices $i\ge 0$ for which it belongs to $G_i$. Interchanging the finite sums therefore gives different exponent from ramification groups:The unramified part contributes zero. More generally different in a tower follows by taking products of bases of a module dual for the trace pairing, and givesThus a tame extension has different exponent $e-1$, while nontrivial wild groups contribute additional positive terms.

The lower numbering restricts to subgroups: if $H=\mathrm{Gal}(L/E)$, its groups are $H_i=H\cap G_i$, directly from the definition using the same top-field valuation. Quotients need a different indexing. For real $s\ge 0$ put $G_s=G_{\lceil s\rceil }$ and define the Herbrand functionThis upper ramification numbering stretches or compresses intervals according to the inertia indices. The quotient theorem says that for a normal subgroup $H$, upper ramification groups commute with quotients:In particular the same upper index has a meaning compatible with passing to a smaller Galois extension, which lower indices generally lack.

For a tame totally ramified extension the picture is simple: $G_0=G$, all $G_i$ with $i\ge 1$ are trivial, and the different exponent is $|G|-1$. The extension ${\mathbb{Q}}_p({\zeta }_p)$ for odd $p$ illustrates this, giving exponent $p-2$.

A mixed-characteristic wild family is the lower ramification filtration of a prime-power cyclotomic extension. Take $L={\mathbb{Q}}_p({\zeta }_{p^r})$ with odd $p$ and $\pi ={\zeta }_{p^r}-1$. If ${\sigma }_a(\zeta )={\zeta }^a$ and $a\ne 1$ modulo $p^r$, thenThe last equality follows because ${\zeta }^{a-1}$ has order $p^{r-v_p(a-1)}$ and its uniformizer valuation scales by the ramification index in that cyclotomic tower. The lower breaks are $0,p-1,p^2-1,\dots ,p^{r-1}-1$. Integrating the successive indices $(p-1),p(p-1),\dots$ gives upper breaks $0,1,\dots ,r-1$.

In equal characteristic there is an equally explicit wild example. Start with $K={\mathbb{F}}_q((t))$ and an Artin–Schreier extensionThere is no polynomial root in $K$: a negative-valuation element has $v(x^p-x)=pv(x)$, while the right side has valuation $-m$. Adjoining a polynomial root splits the polynomial, whose polynomial roots are $y+c$ for $c\in {\mathbb{F}}_p$, so the extension is cyclic of degree $p$. The valuation equation forces total ramification, $v_L(t)=p$ and $v_L(y)=-m$. Choose $1\le b\le p-1$ with $-bm\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}p)$ and set $a=(1+bm)/p$. Then $\pi =t^a{y}^b$ is a uniformizer. For a nonidentity automorphism $y\mapsto y+c$,the first binomial coefficient $b$ is nonzero modulo $p$, and all subsequent terms have strictly higher valuation. ThereforeThis is the ramification break of an Artin–Schreier pole. It shows concretely that wild breaks, unlike tame inertia, can occur arbitrarily far out in the filtration.

Write $\Gamma =\mathrm{Gal}(K_{\infty }/K)\cong {\mathbb{Z}}_p$. Its only finite subgroup is trivial. In particular, a real place cannot acquire complex inertia in this Zp-extension: the possible nontrivial inertia at a real place has order two. Thus every infinite place splits in the tower.

Suppose that no finite prime ramified. Every finite layer would then be an abelian everywhere unramified extension of number fields, including splitting at real places. Every layer would lie in the ordinary Hilbert class field of $K$, a finite extension. Their degrees are unbounded, a contradiction. Therefore some finite prime must ramify.

Let $v$ have residue characteristic $\ell \ne p$. Apply local class field theory to the corresponding decomposition group, a closed subgroup of $\Gamma$. The image of the unit group ${\mathcal{O}}_{K_v}^{\times }$ is the inertia group. Its first principal-unit subgroup is a pro-l group, so its continuous image in the pro-p group $\Gamma$ is trivial. The residue-unit quotient is the finite group ${\mathbb{F}}_{q_v}^{\times }$. Its image is finite, and is therefore also trivial in the torsion-free group ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$. The entire inertia group is trivial. HenceEquivalently, the tame ramification relation with a Frobenius element would force a tame inertia generator to satisfy ${\tau }^{q_v-1}=1$, which is impossible nontrivially in ${\mathbb{Z}}_p$.

For the final assertion, the cyclotomic Zp-extension of $K$ is $K\mathbb{Q}[p^{\infty }]$. Fix $v\mid p$ and put $E=K_v$, a finite extension of ${\mathbb{Q}}_p$. Let $C_n$ be the completion of $\mathbb{Q}[p^n]$ at its unique prime over $p$. This is a totally ramified extension of ${\mathbb{Q}}_p$ of degree $p^n$. In a compatible local algebraic closure,Here the inequality follows from the tower through $C_n$. The right side is unbounded. These composita occur among the completions of the cyclotomic tower over $K$, so $v$ has unbounded ramification index, in particular nontrivial inertia group. ThusThis argument allows an arbitrary finite intersection between $K$ and the rational cyclotomic tower; it does not assume disjointness.

Normalize the discrete valuations so a uniformiser has value one, and write $k_K,k_L$ for the residue fields. The ramification index $e$ is specified by $v_L{|}_K=e{v}_K$, and the residue degree is $f=[k_L:k_K]$. For finite extensions of complete discretely valued fields, $[L:K]=ef$. One way to see the degree equality is that ${\mathcal{O}}_L$ is a finite free ${\mathcal{O}}_K$-module of rank $[L:K]$; reduction modulo a uniformiser of $K$ has $e$ successive quotients isomorphic to $k_L$, hence dimension $ef$ over $k_K$.

An unramified extension has $e=1$ and separable residue extension, equivalently $[L:K]=f$ with separable residue extension. A totally ramified extension has $f=1$, equivalently $[L:K]=e$. The separability condition in the unramified extension definition matters if the residue field is imperfect; it is automatic for finite residue fields.

Suppose $L/K$ is unramified. Choose a primitive element of a field extension $\bar{x}$ for the finite separable extension $k_L/k_K$ and lift it to $x\in {\mathcal{O}}_L$. Since the residue degree of $K(x)/K$ is at least $[k_K(\bar{x}):k_K]=[L:K]$, necessarily $K(x)=L$. Its monic minimal polynomial of an algebraic element $f_x$ has coefficients in ${\mathcal{O}}_K$. Its reduction has degree $[L:K]$ and annihilates $\bar{x}$, whose minimal polynomial over $k_K$ has that same degree. The two coincide, so ${\bar{f}}_x$ is separable.

Conversely, suppose $L=K(x)$, $x\in {\mathcal{O}}_L$, and ${\bar{f}}_x$ is separable. It must be irreducible: otherwise its coprime factors lift by the factorization form of Hensel's lemma, contradicting irreducibility of $f_x$. Hence $\bar{x}$ has degree $[L:K]$ over $k_K$. The degree equality forces $f=[L:K]$ and $e=1$, and the residue extension is separable. We have proved the unramified generator criterion with separable reduction:

Now let $k_L={\mathbb{F}}_q$, $q=p^f$. Every element of $k_L^{\times }$ is a simple root of $X^{q-1}-1$, whose derivative is a unit at each root. Hensel's lemma lifts each of these $q-1$ elements uniquely to a root in ${\mathcal{O}}_L^{\times }$. Thus $L$ contains all $q-1$ roots of $X^{q-1}-1$; these are the nonzero Teichmuller lifts.

More generally, a root of unity of order prime to $p$ reduces injectively into $k_L^{\times }$. Indeed, if such a root reduces to $1$, uniqueness in Hensel's lemma for $X^m-1$ makes it equal to $1$. Consequently every prime-to-$p$ order divides $q-1$.

A root whose order has a nontrivial $p$-part produces a primitive $p$th root of unity $\zeta$. It reduces to $1$ in characteristic $p$. Sinceall the factors have the same positive integral valuation. HenceThis is the ramification bound for a primitive pth root of unity. ThereforeFor $p=2$ the hypothesis $e<1$ cannot occur, so that instance is vacuous rather than a claim excluding the ever-present root $-1$.

The inverse different is the trace-dual latticeThe integral closure ${\mathcal{O}}_L$ is finite free over the complete discrete valuation ring ${\mathcal{O}}_K$. Choose an integral basis and use the nondegenerate trace pairing to form its dual basis over $K$. This exhibits ${\mathfrak{D}}^{-1}$ as a full, finite ${\mathcal{O}}_K$-lattice. It is stable under multiplication by ${\mathcal{O}}_L$, because $b{\mathcal{O}}_L\subseteq {\mathcal{O}}_L$ for $b\in {\mathcal{O}}_L$, and bounded denominators make it a fractional ideal of ${\mathcal{O}}_L$. Integral elements have integral field traces, so ${\mathcal{O}}_L\subseteq {\mathfrak{D}}^{-1}$. A nonzero fractional ideal of a discrete valuation ring is invertible; its inverse is consequently an integral ideal, the different ideal ${\mathfrak{D}}_{L/K}$.

Assume now $A={\mathcal{O}}_K[x]={\mathcal{O}}_L$, with monic separable minimal polynomial $g$ of degree $n$. Lagrange interpolation at its distinct roots givesIndeed, these are the leading coefficients in the interpolation formula for $X^j$. For any element of $A$, this trace is the coefficient of $X^{n-1}$ in its degree-less-than-$n$ representative modulo $g$. The resulting pairing on the basis $1,x,\dots ,x^{n-1}$ is integral and unimodular: reversing the order of one basis makes its matrix triangular with diagonal ones, since entries vanish when the exponent sum is less than $n-1$. Thus it identifies $A$ with its full ${\mathcal{O}}_K$-dual. Translating back to the trace pairing proves

For a totally ramified extension of degree $n$, any uniformizer ${\pi }_L$ is an Eisenstein generator of a totally ramified extension, and ${\mathcal{O}}_L={\mathcal{O}}_K[{\pi }_L]$. To see the latter equality, use the common residue field to expand an integral element in powers of ${\pi }_L$ with digits from ${\mathcal{O}}_K$; reduce powers using its Eisenstein polynomial and take limits in the finite complete ${\mathcal{O}}_K$-module generated by $1,{\pi }_L,\dots ,{\pi }_L^{n-1}$. Write that polynomial as $X^n+{\sum }_{j<n}{a}_j{X}^j$, with $v_L(a_j)\ge n$ for $j<n$. When $p\nmid n$, the derivative's leading term has valuation $n-1$, while every other nonzero derivative term has valuation at least $n$. There can be no cancellation of the unique smallest term. Therefore

For the prime-power p-adic cyclotomic extension, put $\zeta ={\zeta }_{p^r}$ and $e=p^{r-1}(p-1)$. Modulo $p$, the shifted cyclotomic polynomial ${\Phi }_{p^r}(1+T)$ is $T^e$, while its constant term is $p$, not a multiple of $p^2$. It is therefore Eisenstein, so $\pi =\zeta -1$ is a uniformizer and ${\mathcal{O}}_{K_r}={\mathbb{Z}}_p[\zeta ]$. Fromwe obtain, by differentiating the numerator at $\zeta$,The denominator is a primitive-$p$ root of unity minus one and has $K_r$-valuation $p^{r-1}$. The different exponent is consequently $re-p^{r-1}$, givingThis includes $p=2,r=1$: the extension is trivial and its different exponent is zero.

The filtration and its meaning. Let $L/K$ be a finite Galois extension of non-Archimedean local fields, with group $G$, normalized valuation $v_L$, and residue fields $k_L/k_K$ of characteristic $\ell$. The lower ramification numbering isThe higher ramification groups are normal, decrease with $j$, and eventually become trivial: for each nonidentity automorphism some integral element is moved by a nonzero amount. The first group $G_0$ is the inertia group, withIts fixed field is the maximal unramified extension inside $L$. The wild inertia group is $G_1$. For a uniformizer ${\pi }_L$, there are injective homomorphismsThe kernels are the indicated next groups; the additive homomorphism assertion follows by expanding a product of automorphisms modulo ${\pi }_L^{j+2}$. These maps show that $G_0/G_1$ is cyclic of order prime to $\ell$, while $G_1$ is an $\ell$-group. Thus tame ramification is exactly the case $G_1=1$.

To calculate the groups, the uniformizer criterion for lower ramification groups saysIndeed, ${\mathcal{O}}_L$ is generated by ${\pi }_L$ over the integers of the maximal unramified subextension, which $G_0$ fixes. Differences of powers of ${\pi }_L$ are divisible by $\sigma {\pi }_L-{\pi }_L$, so the one test implies all the defining inequalities.

Eisenstein facts used in the calculations. For a complete discrete valuation ring $A$ with uniformizer $\varpi$, a monic polynomialis an Eisenstein polynomial if $\varpi \mid a_j$ for every $j<d$ and ${\varpi }^2\nmid a_0$. The Eisenstein criterion makes it irreducible. If $\theta$ is a root, its valuation relative to the base normalization is $1/d$, the extension has degree and ramification index $d$, its residue field is unchanged, andThe root valuation follows by comparing the terms of its equation. The ramification index must then be at least $d$, hence exactly $d$. In the basis $1,\theta ,\dots ,{\theta }^{d-1}$, the valuations of $b_j{\theta }^j$ are distinct modulo $d$, so an integral linear combination has every $b_j\in A$. This proves the integer-ring assertion. Conversely, a uniformizer in a totally ramified extension generates the field, and its minimal polynomial is Eisenstein; this follows from its value $1/d$, equal valuations of its conjugates, and the valuation one of its norm.

For a monogenic separable integer ring $A[\theta ]$, the different ideal is generated by $f^{\prime }(\theta )$. For a Galois extension, the different exponent from ramification groups isIn the totally ramified case these agree directly: $f^{\prime }({\pi }_L)={\prod }_{\sigma \ne 1}({\pi }_L-\sigma {\pi }_L)$, and an automorphism with displacement valuation $h$ contributes once to each of $G_0,\dots ,G_{h-1}$.

Upper numbering. Extend the lower indexing to real $s\ge 0$ by $G_s=G_{\lceil s\rceil }$, and setOn $[-1,0]$ take $\phi (s)=s$. This Herbrand function slows the indexing as the groups shrink. Lower numbering is compatible with subgroups, while upper ramification numbering is compatible with quotients: for normal $H$, $(G/H{)}^u=G^{u}H/H$. This is the fact that upper ramification groups commute with quotients. Thus upper breaks are particularly useful when comparing intermediate Galois extensions.

The eighth-root cyclotomic extension. Put $\zeta ={\zeta }_8$ and $\pi =\zeta -1$. The shifted cyclotomic polynomialis Eisenstein at two. Hence $L={\mathbb{Q}}_2(\zeta )$ is totally ramified of degree four, $v_L(2)=4$, and $\pi$ is a uniformizer. Its Galois group consists of ${\sigma }_a(\zeta )={\zeta }^a$ for $a=1,3,5,7$, and is $C_2\times C_2$.

Since $\zeta$ is a unit,For $a=3,7$, this is the valuation of $i-1$ or $-i-1$, namely two, because their squares are units times two. For $a=5$, it is $v_L(-2)=4$. The ramification groups of the eighth-root cyclotomic extension of the 2-adic field are thereforeThe lower breaks are one and three, andThus the upper breaks are one and two:The different exponent from ramification groups is $3+3+1+1=8$, agreeing with $v_L(4{\zeta }^3)=8$ from the derivative of $T^4+1$.