Boundedness results for finite flat group schemes over discrete valuation rings of mixed characteristic

Adrian Vasiu, Thomas Zink

Published 2009-11-12, updated 2012-04-16Version 3

Let $p$ be a prime. Let $V$ be a discrete valuation ring of mixed characteristic $(0,p)$ and index of ramification $e$. Let $f: G \rightarrow H$ be a homomorphism of finite flat commutative group schemes of $p$ power order over $V$ whose generic fiber is an isomorphism. We provide a new proof of a result of Bondarko and Liu that bounds the kernel and the cokernel of the special fiber of $f$ in terms of $e$. For $e < p-1$ this reproves a result of Raynaud. Our bounds are sharper that the ones of Liu, are almost as sharp as the ones of Bondarko, and involve a very simple and short method. As an application we obtain a new proof of an extension theorem for homomorphisms of truncated Barsotti--Tate groups which strengthens Tate's extension theorem for homomorphisms of $p$-divisible groups.