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Let $f:X \rightarrow Y$ be a finite Galois morphism of curves (curve: integral scheme of dimension 1, proper over an algebraically closed field $k$ will all local rings regular). Question: Is it true that $f$ is unramified at any $P \in X$? In other words, let $Q \in Y$ such that $Q=f(P), P \in X$ and let $v_P$ be a valuation corresponding to the discrete valuation ring $O_{X,P}$. Let $t$ be a local parameter (uniformizer) of $O_{Y,Q}$. We can view $t$ as an element of $O_{X,P}$ since there is a morphism $O_{Y,Q} \rightarrow O_{X,P}$. Is it true that if $f$ is finite Galois, then $v_P(t)=1$, i.e. a local parameter is taken to a local parameter by $O_{Y,Q} \rightarrow O_{X,P}$?

More generally, suppose $f$ is unramified. Can this be characterized in some convenient way, e.g. algebraically, maybe in terms of the field extension $K(Y) \subseteq K(X)$?

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It depends on what you mean by "finite Galois". If you mean that the morphism is finite and the function field extension is Galois, then it is not necessarily unramified.

For example, consider the following example $$ \mathbf{P}^1\to \mathbf{P}^1, \quad x\mapsto x^n.$$ This is finite Galois of degree $n$ and ramifies over $0$ and $\infty$. Also, any finite morphism $X\to Y$ of degree $2$ is Galois. Clearly, these can be ramified. Take for example $X$ a hyperelliptic curve and $Y$ the projective line.

A "practical" way to check whether something is etale at a point by the way, is to count the number of points in each fibre. If this is the degree of the finite morphism you win.

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    Thanks for the answer. Could you please explain a little bit why this practical way works? What does the degree of the field extension has to do with the number of points in each fiber?2012-11-20
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    Consider the map $(x,y)\mapsto x$ from the curve $y^2=x^3-1$ to the affine line. This has degree 2. In fact, on the level of function fields it corresponds to the embedding $k(x) \subset k(x)[y]/(y^2 = x^3-1)$. Now, let us fix a point $a$ on the affine line. To check whether $a$ is a branch point I look at the fibre of $a$. This fibre consists of the elements $(a,y)$ such that $y^2=a^3-1$. This has precisely two solutions unless $a^3-1=0$. That is, when $a=1,\zeta_3$ or $\zeta_3^2$. These three points are the branch points of our map.2012-11-20
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    What I'm using here is that the number of points over a point is the degree of the morphism if and only if this point is not a branch point.2012-11-20
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    This boils down to the usual formula from local fields: $\sum_{b\mapsto a} e_b = \deg f$. Here $f:Y\to X$ is a finite morphism of curves (say char zero) and $a\in X$. Also, $e_b$ is the ramification index.2012-11-20
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    Very interesting example. Thank you. Is there any simple way to see why the field extension is of the form you mention?2012-11-20
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    The function field of $\mathbf{A}^1$ is $k(x)$. This embeds into the function field of our curve $X={y^2=x^3-1}$. Its function field is the fraction field of the ring $k[x,y]/(y^2-x^3+1)$. Is that clear?2012-11-20
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    Yes it is. Final question: can i find anywhere in Hartshorne this formula from local fields you mentioned including $deg(f)$ and the ramification indices?2012-11-20
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    Yes. Check chapter IV, paragraph 2. This is the paragraph about Riemann-Hurwitz.2012-11-20