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1 change: 1 addition & 0 deletions .cspell.json
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"Čech",
"characterisation",
"clopen",
"closedness",
"Clowder",
"coaccessible",
"cocartesian",
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49 changes: 49 additions & 0 deletions content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed.md
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---
title: The category of locally ringed spaces is not cartesian closed
description: A proof that the category of locally ringed spaces over a non-trivial ring R is not cartesian closed
author: Daniel Schepler
---

## The category of locally ringed spaces is not cartesian closed

For most of this development, we will be dealing with the case of $\LRS_k$ where $k$ is a field. We begin by describing $\Top$ as a reflective subcategory of $\LRS_k$.

::: Lemma 1
The forgetful functor $U : \LRS_k \to \Top$ has a right adjoint $K : \Top \to \LRS_k$ of equipping a topological space $X$ with the constant sheaf $\underline{k}$. Furthermore, the functor $K$ is fully faithful, thus making $\Top$ into a reflective subcategory of $\LRS_k$.
:::

_Proof._ In this adjunction, the counit $UK \to \id$ is just the identity. To describe the unit $\id \to KU$, we need to define a morphism $(X, \O_X) \to (X, \underline{k})$ for any locally ringed space $(X, \O_X)$ over $k$. This morphism will be the identity on topological spaces, and the pullback operation $\underline{k} \to \O_X$ will be the unique morphism of sheaves induced by the given structure of $\O_X$ as a sheaf of $k$-algebras. It is now straightforward to check this indeed defines an adjunction; and since the counit is an isomorphism, that implies that $K$ is fully faithful. <span class="qed">$\square$</span>

We now show that this reflective subcategory is in fact also a coreflective subcategory. Recall that for $f \in \O_X(U)$ we have its vanishing set $V(f) \coloneqq \{x \in U : f(x) = 0\}$, where $f(x) \in \kappa(x)$ is the image of $f_x \in \O_{X,x}$ in the residue field.

::: Lemma 2
For each object $X$ of $\LRS_k$, let $X_0$ be the set of points $x \in X$ such that the induced morphism from $k$ to the residue field $\kappa(x)$ is an isomorphism. We give $X_0$ the following strengthening of the subspace topology: it will be the topology where a neighborhood subbasis at $x \in X_0$ is the collection of sets of the form $X_0 \cap V(f)$ where $f \in \O_X(U)$ for some neighborhood $U$ of $x$ in $X$, and $x \in V(f)$. Then $X \mapsto X_0$ defines a functor $S : \LRS_k \to \Top$ that is right adjoint to $K$.
:::

_Proof._ First, to see that $S$ is a functor, suppose we have a morphism $f : (X, \O_X) \to (Y, \O_Y)$. Then for $x \in X_0$, we have a sequence $k \to \kappa(f(x)) \to \kappa(x)$ where the composition is an isomorphism. Thus, $\kappa(f(x)) \to \kappa(x)$ is a surjective morphism of fields, and therefore an isomorphism. It follows that $k \to \kappa(f(x))$ is also an isomorphism of fields, so $f(x) \in Y_0$. To see that the restriction map $X_0 \to Y_0$ is continuous, suppose $g \in \O_Y(V)$ is such that $f(x) \in V(g)$. Then $x \in V(f^\sharp g)$, and
$$X_0 \cap f^{-1}(Y_0 \cap V(g)) = X_0 \cap V(f^\sharp g)$$
where $f^\sharp g \in \O_X(f^{-1}(V))$. In other words, we have shown that the inverse image in $X_0$ of any subbasic neighborhood of $f(x)$ is a neighborhood of $x$.

Now if we apply the functor $S$ to a space of the form $(X, \underline{k})$, then since by definition any section of the constant sheaf $\underline{k}$ is locally constant, we see that we recover exactly $X$ with its original topology. Thus, we can define the unit $\id \to SK$ of the adjunction to be the identity.

As for the counit $KS \to \id$, for any locally ringed space $(X, \O_X)$ over $k$ we need to define a morphism $(X_0, \underline{k}) \to (X, \O_X)$. The map of topological spaces will be the inclusion map $i : X_0 \hookrightarrow X$, which is continuous since in particular for $U$ an open neighborhood of $x \in X_0$ we have $X_0 \cap U = X_0 \cap V(0_U)$, where $0_U \in \O_X(U)$ is the zero element. The pullback map $\O_X \to i_* \underline{k}$ takes $f \in \O_X(U)$ to the function $X_0 \cap U \to k$ where $x \in X_0 \cap U$ maps to the inverse image of $f(x) \in \kappa(x)$ under the isomorphism $k \to \kappa(x)$. An alternative description of this pullback is that $x \in X_0 \cap U$ maps to the unique $a\in k$ such that $x \in V(f-a)$. Since $X_0 \cap V(f-a)$ is a neighborhood of $x$ in $X_0$ by definition, this shows that we get a locally constant function to $k$ as required.

From here, it is straightforward to show that this does in fact define an adjunction. <span class="qed">$\square$</span>

_Remark._ In the special case where $k$ is a finite field, we have
$$\textstyle X_0 \cap V(f) = \bigcap_{a \in k^\times} (X_0 \cap D(f-a)),$$
which is already open in the subspace topology. Therefore, in this case, $X_0$ is given exactly the subspace topology.

::: Corollary 3
If $k$ is a field, then $\LRS_k$ is not cartesian closed.
:::

_Proof._ We know that $\Top$ is not cartesian closed. By Lemma 2, $\Top$ is a coreflective subcategory of $\LRS_k$. Moreover, the inclusion preserves binary products (in fact, all limits) by Lemma 1. Therefore, the claim follows from Lemma 1 [here](/content/cartesian-closed-results). <span class="qed">$\square$</span>

Finally, we generalize this result to arbitrary base rings.

::: Corollary 4
For any non-trivial commutative ring $R$, the category $\LRS_R$ is not cartesian closed.
:::

_Proof._ Let $k$ be a residue field of $R$. Then $\LRS_k$ is equivalent to the slice category $\LRS_R / \Spec k$ where $\Spec k$ is subterminal. Therefore, the claim follows from Corollary 3 above and Corollary 2 [here](/content/cartesian-closed-results). <span class="qed">$\square$</span>
27 changes: 27 additions & 0 deletions content/cartesian-closed-results.md
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---
title: Results about cartesian closed categories
description: We prove in particular when a coreflective subcategory of a cartesian closed category is again cartesian closed.
author: Daniel Schepler
---

## Results about cartesian closed categories

::: Lemma 1
Suppose $\D$ is a coreflective subcategory of $\C$ such that $\D$ has binary products and the inclusion functor preserves these binary products. If $\C$ is cartesian closed, then so is $\D$.
:::

_Proof._ Let $U : \D \to \C$ be the inclusion functor with right adjoint $R : \C \to \D$. Then for any objects $X, Y, Z$ of $\D$ we have natural isomorphisms

$$
\begin{align*}
\Hom_\D(Z\times X, Y) & \cong \Hom_\C(UZ \times UX, UY) \\
& \cong \Hom_\C(UZ, [UX,UY]) \\
& \cong \Hom_\D\bigl(Z, R([UX,UY])\bigr).
\end{align*}
$$

::: Corollary 2
If $\C$ is a cartesian closed category and $P$ is a [subterminal object](https://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/subterminal+object) of $\C$, then the slice category $\C / P$ is also cartesian closed.
:::

_Proof._ The forgetful functor $\C / P \to \C$ is fully faithful; it has right adjoint ${-} \times P$; and it preserves binary products (in fact all inhabited limits). Hence, Lemma 1 applies. <span class="qed">$\square$</span>
16 changes: 16 additions & 0 deletions databases/catdat/data/categories/LRS_R.yaml
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Alternatively, using the usual adjunction between affine schemes and locally ringed spaces (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89l%C3%A9ments_de_g%C3%A9om%C3%A9trie_alg%C3%A9brique" target="_blank">EGA I</a> (1971), Ch. 1, Prop. 1.6.3), a generating set in $\LRS_R$ would induce a generating set in the category of affine $R$-schemes, which contradicts the fact that <a href="/category/CAlg(R)">$\CAlg(R)$</a> does not have a cogenerating set.

- property: cartesian closed
proof: This is proved <a href="/content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed">here</a>.
check_redundancy: false

- property: cartesian filtered colimits
proof: As a corollary of the results <a href="/content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed">here</a>, if we choose a quotient field $k$ of $R$, then the functor $\Top \to \LRS_R$ of equipping a topological space with the constant sheaf of $k$ is fully faithful, and preserves all colimits and all inhabited limits. Therefore, if $\LRS_R$ had cartesian filtered colimits, then $\Top$ would also, giving a contradiction.
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@ScriptRaccoon ScriptRaccoon Jun 8, 2026

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I have some issues with this proof and the other ones (but no doubt that they are correct!). It is just said that "of the results here", but not making explicit which results are used for which claim. Also, I think that some of the proofs are even used. This suggests refactoring them.

Notice that for example the content page never mentions any functor from Top to LRSR where R is a commutative ring which is not a field.

Maybe it is even better to add all these proofs to the content page itself. It can be a huge corollary like "The category LRS_R is (a) not X, (b) not Y, ... ".

Notice that this "outsourcing" has already been done for the cartesian closed property. The current approach is inconsistent.

Also consider adding stuff to the page cartesian-closed-results.md that I created for the more general results. Probably it then should also be renamed, since it is not about ccc anymore, but rather about coreflections. Then it can also be merged with subobject_classifiers_coreflection.md, and also with exact_filtered_colimits_descend.md.

In a later stage of this project, all of this will part of an extended deduction system where properties of categories can be deduced automatically from properties and results of (adjoint) functors. Namely, functor implications will then also have fields like target_conclusions and left_adjoint_assumptions.


- property: regular
proof: 'As a corollary of the results <a href="/content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed">here</a>, if we choose a quotient field $k$ of $R$, then the functor $\Top \to \LRS_R$ of equipping a topological space with the constant sheaf of $k$ is fully faithful, and preserves all colimits and all inhabited limits. Therefore, if $\LRS_R$ were regular, then for every regular epimorphism $X \to Y$ and morphism $Z \to Y$, the pullback $f : Z \times_Y X \to X$ would satisfy that the canonical morphism from the quotient of the kernel pair of $f$ to $X$ is an isomorphism. This would be inherited by the subcategory $\Top$, and since $\Top$ is finitely complete and has coequalizers, that would imply $\Top$ is also regular, giving a contradiction.'

- property: cofiltered-limit-stable epimorphisms
proof: 'As a corollary of the results <a href="/content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed">here</a>, if we choose a quotient field $k$ of $R$, then the functor $\Top \to \LRS_R$ of equipping a topological space with the constant sheaf of $k$ is fully faithful, and preserves all colimits and all inhabited limits. From here, the proof is similar to the one from <a href="/category/Top">$\Top$</a>: we apply the contrapositive of the dual of <a href="/content/filtered-monos">this lemma</a> to the functor $\Set \to \LRS_k$ which equips a set with the indiscrete topology and the constant sheaf of $k$.'

- property: effective cocongruences
proof: As a corollary of the results <a href="/content/LRS-not-cartesian-closed">here</a>, if we choose a quotient field $k$ of $R$, then the functor $\Top \to \LRS_R$ of equipping a topological space with the constant sheaf of $k$ is fully faithful, and preserves all colimits and all inhabited limits. Therefore, if $\LRS_R$ had effective cocongruences, then for every cocongruence $E$ on $X$, the canonical morphism from the cokernel pair of the equalizer of $E$ to $E$ would be an isomorphism. This would be inherited by the subcategory $\Top$, giving a contradiction.

special_objects:
initial object:
description: empty space
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- locally cartesian closed
proof: Each slice is thin, semi-strongly connected, and has a terminal object. Thus, it corresponds to a linear order with a largest element $1$. Every such category is cartesian closed, where the exponential $a \Rightarrow b$ (Heyting implication) is $1$ when $a \leq b$ and otherwise $b$.
is_equivalence: false

- id: cartesian_closed_thin_implies_lcc
assumptions:
- cartesian closed
- thin
conclusions:
- locally cartesian closed
proof: In a thin category, every object is subterminal. Thus, the result follows from Corollary 2 <a href="/content/cartesian-closed-results">here</a>.
is_equivalence: false