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For a nonzero Laurent series let ${\mathrm{ord}}_t$ be its least exponent. Choose $|x|=p^{-{\mathrm{ord}}_t(x)}$ and $|0|=0$. This is a multiplicative Non-Archimedean absolute value, and its valuation ring is ${\mathbb{F}}_p[[t]]$.

TakeIf ${\gamma }_1,\dots ,{\gamma }_f$ is an ${\mathbb{F}}_p$-basis of ${\mathbb{F}}_{p^f}$, the elements ${\gamma }_i{u}^j$, $1\le i\le f$, $0\le j<e$, form a $K$-basis of $L$. To see this, group the exponents of each Laurent series modulo $e$ and then expand its coefficients in the constant-field basis. Uniqueness of those two expansions proves linear independence. Thus $[L:K]=ef$.

Its valuation ring is ${\mathbb{F}}_{p^f}[[u]]$, with maximal ideal $(u)$ and residue field ${\mathbb{F}}_{p^f}$. Moreover ${\mathrm{ord}}_u(t)=e$, so the ramification index is $e$ and the residue degree is $f$. The unique extending absolute value is explicitlyThis restricts to the chosen absolute value because ${\mathrm{ord}}_u(x)=e{\mathrm{ord}}_t(x)$ on $K$. The prescribed ramification and residue degree for a Laurent series field construction works even when $p\mid e$; separability is not required in the question.

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 $p$.

The structural facts used about a non-Archimedean local field are that it is complete for a normalized discrete valuation $v:K^{\times }\to \mathbb{Z}$, its valuation ring ${\mathcal{O}}_K=\{x:v(x)\ge 0\}$ is a discrete valuation ring, its maximal ideal is ${\mathfrak{m}}_K=\pi {\mathcal{O}}_K$ for a uniformizer $\pi$, and its residue field is a finite field $k={\mathbb{F}}_q$. Polynomial operations are continuous for this valuation topology.

A simple-root version of Hensel lemma is: if $f\in {\mathcal{O}}_K[X]$, $a_1\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$, $f(a_1)\in {\mathfrak{m}}_K$, and $f^{\prime }(a_1)\notin {\mathfrak{m}}_K$, then there is a unique $a\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$ with $f(a)=0$ and $a\equiv a_1(\mathrm{mod}{\mathfrak{m}}_K)$.

Construct $a_n$ with $f(a_n)\in {\pi }^n{\mathcal{O}}_K$. Given $a_n$, put $a_{n+1}=a_n+{\pi }^n{b}_n$. Taylor expansion over the valuation ring givesThe omitted terms contain ${\pi }^{2n}$, and $2n\ge n+1$ for $n\ge 1$. The residue of $f^{\prime }(a_n)$ remains the nonzero residue of $f^{\prime }(a_1)$, so choose $b_n$ withThis makes $f(a_{n+1})\in {\pi }^{n+1}{\mathcal{O}}_K$. The congruences $a_{n+1}\equiv a_n(\mathrm{mod}{\pi }^n)$ make $(a_n)$ a Cauchy sequence; completeness gives its limit $a\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$. Continuity and $v(f(a_n))\ge n$ give $f(a)=0$, and the first congruence gives its specified residue class.

For uniqueness, if $a,b$ are two roots in that class, polynomial division of their difference givesThe second factor is a unit, since $f^{\prime }(b)$ is a unit and $a-b\in {\mathfrak{m}}_K$. Thus $a=b$. This proves both existence and uniqueness in the stated Hensel lemma.

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.

A finite morphism is a finite type morphism. It is also a separated morphism: on an affine scheme chart $\mathrm{Spec}B\to \mathrm{Spec}A$, its diagonal morphism is represented by the surjective multiplication ring homomorphism $B{\otimes }_{A}B\to B$, and is therefore a closed immersion by Question 1.

We prove the lifting condition in the valuative criterion for properness. Choose an affine open subset of $Y$ containing the image of the closed point of $\mathrm{Spec}V$. Every point of $\mathrm{Spec}V$ is a generalization of its closed point, so the whole map factors through this affine open subset. Its inverse image under the finite morphism is $\mathrm{Spec}B$, with $B$ a finitely generated $A$-module. Every $b\in B$ is integral over $A$: apply the determinant trick to multiplication by $b$ on a finite set of module generators to obtain a monic polynomial which annihilates all generators and hence annihilates $1$.

In the given valuative square, we have compatible ring homomorphisms $A\to V$ and $B\to K$. The image in $K$ of each $b\in B$ satisfies a monic polynomial over $V$. To see directly why it belongs to $V$, suppose $x\in K\setminus V$. The defining property of a valuation ring gives $x^{-1}\in V$, and it lies in the maximal ideal since it cannot be a unit. A monic equation for $x$, multiplied by $x^{-n}$, would then express $1$ as a sum of elements in that maximal ideal, a contradiction. This proves that valuation rings are integrally closed and that $B\to K$ factors through $B\to V$. The factorization is unique because $V\hookrightarrow K$ is injective. Thus the lift exists uniquely, proving

A proper morphism of schemes is a separated morphism of finite type which is a universally closed morphism: after every base change, the resulting map of underlying topological spaces takes closed subsets to closed subsets.

The valuative criterion for properness, in the Noetherian setting used here, says that a finite type morphism $f:X\to Y$ is a proper morphism if and only if the following existence and uniqueness condition holds. For every valuation ring $V$, its fraction field $K$, and compatible morphisms of schemes $a:\mathrm{Spec}K\to X$ and $b:\mathrm{Spec}V\to Y$ with $f\circ a=b{|}_{\mathrm{Spec}K}$, there is exactly one morphism of schemes $h:\mathrm{Spec}V\to X$ such that $h{|}_{\mathrm{Spec}K}=a$ and $f\circ h=b$. All valuation rings are allowed; no discreteness assumption is needed in this formulation. The following arguments also use that each of the three defining conditions for a proper morphism is preserved by base change.

Write $f$ as the ring homomorphism $A\to B$. By the permitted assumption, $B$ is a finitely generated $A$-algebra. We will prove that every element of $B$ is integral over $A$, including any nilpotent contribution. If $B=0$, there is nothing to prove.

We use the integral closure as an intersection of valuation rings in its general form: if an integral domain $R$ lies in a field $K$, then its integral closure inside $K$ is the intersection of all valuation rings of $K$ containing $R$. Here $K$ need not be the fraction field of $R$. One direction follows from valuation rings are integrally closed. For the other, if $0\ne x\in K$ is not integral, the ideal $x^{-1}R[x^{-1}]$ is proper: an expression for $1$ in that ideal, multiplied by a sufficiently large power of $x$, would be a monic equation for $x$. Choose a maximal ideal containing this ideal, and apply the valuation domination lemma to the corresponding local ring inside $K$. The resulting valuation ring $V$ contains $R$ and has $x^{-1}$ in its maximal ideal, so $x\notin V$. This proves the claimed intersection criterion. The valuation domination lemma is obtained by choosing, using Zorn's lemma, a maximal local overring dominating the given local ring; the usual alternative between adjoining $z$ and adjoining $z^{-1}$ forces this maximal overring to be a valuation ring.

The Noetherian ring $B$ has finitely many minimal prime ideals ${\mathfrak{q}}_1,\dots ,{\mathfrak{q}}_r$. SetTake any valuation ring $V$ of $K_i$ containing $R_i$. The maps $B\to D_i\to K_i$ and $A\to R_i\to V$ form a square for the valuative criterion for properness. Its lift gives $B\to V$, whose composite with $V\hookrightarrow K_i$ is the original map. Consequently the image $D_i$ is contained in $V$. The intersection criterion proves that every element of $D_i$ is integral over $R_i$.

Fix $b\in B$. For each $i$, choose a monic polynomial $P_i(T)\in A[T]$ whose value at the image of $b$ in $D_i$ is zero; coefficients over $R_i$ can be lifted to $A$. The product $P(T)={\prod }_i{P}_i(T)$ is monic and satisfiesThe nilradical of a Noetherian ring is nilpotent. Explicitly, choose finitely many generators $n_j$ with $n_j^{e_j}=0$; every product of $1+{\sum }_j(e_j-1)$ generators then contains a vanishing power. Thus $(\sqrt{(0)}{)}^N=0$ for some $N$, and $P(T{)}^N$ is a monic polynomial annihilating $b$. Hence $B$ is integral over $A$.

Finally choose algebra generators $b_1,\dots ,b_s$, with monic equations of degrees $d_1,\dots ,d_s$. Reducing powers in these equations shows that the finitely many monomialsspan $B$ as an $A$-module. Therefore $B$ is a finite $A$-module, proving

First include the trivial absolute value if that convention is allowed. For a nontrivial Non-Archimedean absolute value on $\mathbb{Q}$, every integer has absolute value on a field at most one, and some nonzero integer has absolute value on a field less than one: otherwise every nonzero rational number, being a quotient of two integers, would have absolute value on a field one. Factoring that integer shows that some prime number $p$ has $|p|<1$.

There cannot be two such prime numbers. If $|p|<1$ and $|q|<1$ for distinct prime numbers, choose integers $a,b$ with $ap+bq=1$. Then the ultrametric inequality givesEvery other prime number therefore has absolute value on a field one. Factoring numerator and denominator of a rational number givesThus the nontrivial equivalence classes are precisely the p-adic absolute values, one for each prime number.

Now let $F$ be a number field, with ring of integers of a number field $A$. If the restriction of an absolute value on a field to $\mathbb{Q}$ is trivial, a monic polynomial over $\mathbb{Q}$ satisfied by $x\in F$ forces $|x|\le 1$: if $|x|>1$, its leading term would strictly dominate the other terms. Applying the same argument to $x^{-1}$ forces $|x|=1$ for $x\ne 0$. Thus a nontrivial absolute value on a field defined on $F$ has a nontrivial restriction, associated with some prime number $p$.

Every $a\in A$ has $|a|\le 1$, by applying the same leading-term argument to its monic integral equation. Consequentlyis a proper prime ideal: it is an ideal by the ultrametric inequality, and $|ab|<1$ with $|a|,|b|\le 1$ implies that at least one factor has absolute value on a field less than one. It is nonzero because it contains $p$.

The localization $A_{\mathfrak{p}}$ lies in the valuation ring of the absolute value on a field: a denominator outside $\mathfrak{p}$ has absolute value on a field one. Since $A$ is a Dedekind domain, $A_{\mathfrak{p}}$ is a discrete valuation ring. Choose its uniformizer $\pi$. Each $x\in F^{\times }$ has a unique expressionBoth $u$ and $u^{-1}$ lie in the valuation ring, so $|u|=1$. Also $\pi$ belongs to its maximal ideal, hence $|\pi |<1$. Therefore $|x|=|\pi {|}^{v_{\mathfrak{p}}(x)}$.

Conversely each nonzero prime ideal of $A$ gives the Non-Archimedean absolute value $|x|=c^{v_{\mathfrak{p}}(x)}$ for any $0<c<1$, using the discrete valuation of $A_{\mathfrak{p}}$. All choices of $c$ are equivalent, and different prime ideals are distinguished by the elements of $A$ having absolute value on a field less than one. We have proved Non-Archimedean absolute values on a number field:The trivial class is additional when trivial absolute values on a field are admitted.

True. Each element of the Galois group preserves the extending absolute value on a field, because composing it with that absolute value on a field gives another extension, equal to the original by part (a). Thus all conjugates of $x$ have the same absolute value on a field. Writing $d=[K:{\mathbb{Q}}_p]$, the field norm givesA unit field norm has absolute value on a field one, forcing $|x|=1$. This means both $x$ and $x^{-1}$ are in the valuation ring, so $x$ is a unit.

Equivalently, with normalized discrete valuations and residue degree $f$,This is unit norm detects units in a local extension.

False. This is an example of integral trace need not imply integrality. Take $K={\mathbb{Q}}_p(\theta )$ with ${\theta }^2=p$, the splitting field of $X^2-p$. Its two conjugates are $\theta ,-\theta$, and its normalized discrete valuation satisfies $v_K(\theta )=1$, $v_K(p)=2$, by the Eisenstein polynomial criterion. Forthe field trace is zero, but $v_K(x)=-1$. Therefore $x$ is not in the valuation ring, despite having integral field trace. Cancellation in a sum of conjugates explains why a field trace test fails.

The intended statement uses a nontrivial Non-Archimedean absolute value. Under that convention choose $t$ with $0<|t|<1$. A compact neighborhood $C$ of zero contains an open ball of some radius $r>0$. For sufficiently large $N$, $t^N{\mathcal{O}}_K$ is contained in that ball. The valuation ring is closed, so $t^N{\mathcal{O}}_K$ is a closed subset of $C$ and is compact. Scaling shows that ${\mathcal{O}}_K$ itself is compact.

Its maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}=\{x:|x|<1\}$ is open. The residue field $k={\mathcal{O}}_K/\mathfrak{m}$ is therefore discrete and compact, hence finite: the open cover by its singleton sets has a finite subcover. Since $\mathfrak{m}$ has finite index, its complement is a finite union of open cosets. Thus $\mathfrak{m}$ is also closed and compact.

The continuous absolute value on a field attains its maximum on $\mathfrak{m}$. Nontriviality supplies a nonzero element there, so this maximum is $\rho =|\pi |$ for some $\pi \ne 0$, with $0<\rho <1$. If $x\in \mathfrak{m}$, then $|x/\pi |\le 1$, so $\mathfrak{m}=\pi {\mathcal{O}}_K$.

For arbitrary $x\ne 0$, choose the integer $n$ for which ${\rho }^{n+1}<|x|\le {\rho }^n$. Then $\rho <|x/{\pi }^n|\le 1$. This element cannot lie in $\mathfrak{m}$, by maximality of $\rho$, so its absolute value on a field is one. Therefore $|x|={\rho }^n$. This proves discrete valuation from nontrivial local compactness:

The nontrivial valuation in the local compactness criterion is essential. If the trivial absolute value is admitted, the displayed source claim is false: take $\mathbb{Q}$ with that absolute value on a field. It is complete and discrete, hence locally compact, but its valuation ring and residue field are both $\mathbb{Q}$, which is infinite. The intended nontrivial case has been proved above.

A local field is nondiscrete and locally compact. In the non-Archimedean case its valuation ring is compact by the scaling argument in part (b). Any Cauchy sequence has a tail in a translate of a compact ball, so has a convergent subsequence; the Cauchy property forces the whole sequence to converge. Thus the field is complete. Part (b) gives a discrete valuation, a uniformizer $\pi$, and a finite residue field $k={\mathbb{F}}_q$, $q=p^f$.

We construct the coefficient field rather than presuming it exists. The polynomial $T^q-T$ has derivative $-1$ in characteristic $p$. Every residue element therefore has a unique polynomial root lift by Hensel's lemma. The set $S$ of these $q$ lifts is a field: qth powers preserve addition and multiplication, so sums and products remain polynomial root lifts; a nonzero lift has inverse $a^{q-2}$. Reduction identifies $S$ with ${\mathbb{F}}_q$. This is the finite coefficient field in positive-characteristic local fields.

For $x\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$, choose $a_0\in S$ with the same residue, write $x=a_0+\pi x_1$, and repeat with $x_1\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$. Completeness givesThe first nonzero coefficient determines the valuation, so the expansion is unique. Multiplying an arbitrary field element by a suitable power of $\pi$ reduces it to this case. Consequently substitution $T\mapsto \pi$ gives a valued-field isomorphismAddition and multiplication agree with those of Laurent series by convergence, and a nonzero series has a nonzero leading coefficient, establishing injectivity as well as surjectivity.

Conversely, ${\mathbb{F}}_q((T))$ is complete for its T-adic absolute value on a field. Its valuation ring ${\mathbb{F}}_q[[T]]$ is compact: fixing finitely many coefficients gives the finite partitions into balls, and the successive coefficient choices realize the inverse limit of the finite rings ${\mathbb{F}}_q[T]/(T^n)$. Equivalently it is the product of countably many finite discrete coefficient sets. Thus it is a non-Archimedean local field. Distinct $q$ give nonisomorphic valued fields because their residue fields have different sizes. Replacing $|T|$ by any number in $(0,1)$ gives an equivalent absolute value on a field.

Take the formal Laurent series field $K=\mathbb{C}((T))$, with $v_T$ the least exponent of a nonzero term and $|x|=2^{-v_T(x)}$. Its value group is $\mathbb{Z}$, so this is a discrete valuation. A Cauchy sequence has an eventually stable coefficient at every exponent, and its tail has a common lower bound on its exponents. The stabilized coefficients therefore give a formal Laurent series field element to which the sequence converges. Hence $K$ is complete.

Its valuation ring is $\mathbb{C}[[T]]$, and its residue field is the infinite field $\mathbb{C}$. If $K$ were locally compact, the previous compact-ball argument would make $\mathbb{C}[[T]]$ compact. Its quotient by the open ideal $T\mathbb{C}[[T]]$ would then be compact and discrete, hence finite, contradicting its identification with $\mathbb{C}$. Thus $\boxed{\mathbb{C}((T))\text{ is complete and discretely valued but not locally compact}}$.