Local Parameter - Introduction

Introduction

When C is a complex algebraic curve, we know how to count multiplicities of zeroes and poles of meromorphic functions defined on it. However, when discussing curves defined over fields other than, we do not have access to the power of the complex analysis, and a replacement must be found in order to define multiplicities of zeroes and poles of rational functions defined on such curves. In this last case, we say that the germ of the regular function vanishes at if . This is in complete analogy with the complex case, in which the maximal ideal of the local ring at a point P is actually conformed by the germs of holomorphic functions vanishing at P.

Now, the valuation function on is given by

this valuation can naturally be extended to K(C) (which is the field of rational functions of C) because it is the field of fractions of . Hence the idea of having a simple zero at a point P is now complete: it will be a rational function such that its germ falls into, with d at most 1.

This has an algebraic resemblance with the concept of a uniformizing parameter (or just uniformizer) found in the context of discrete valuation rings in commutative algebra; a uniformizing parameter for the DVR (R, m) is just a generator of the maximal ideal m. The link comes from the fact that a local parameter at P will be a uniformizing parameter for the DVR (, ), whence the name.