Between quadratic and symmetric bilinear forms

by Markus Rost (Notes, September 2022, 15 pages)

For vector bundles V over a ring (in particular with 2 not invertible) a family of modules M(V) is defined. Each M(V) is associated to a finite group scheme G of order 2. The constant group scheme Z/2Z yields the module of quadratic forms, the group scheme μ2 the module of symmetric bilinear forms.

A definition of M(V) [q2sb.png]

Currently the text has two parts.

The second (older) part contains an introduction which explains the basic idea in detail. The relation with group schemes of order 2 is indicated. Moreover for the rank 2 case there is a formula for the Dickson invariant for symmetries of a non-degenerate "form" in M(V). It takes values in the corresponding group scheme.

The first (newer) part one gives a somewhat different definition of the modules with other notations. The half-determinant is defined. The method used for the half-determinant might be also interesting for the classical case of odd-dimensional quadratic forms. No group schemes in this part yet.

Full text (September 27, 2022): [pdf]


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