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 \input{preamble} % OK, start here. % \begin{document} \title{Artin's axioms} \maketitle \phantomsection \label{section-phantom} \tableofcontents \section{Introduction} \label{section-introduction} \noindent In this chapter we discuss Artin's axioms for the representability of functors by algebraic spaces. As references we suggest the papers \cite{ArtinI}, \cite{ArtinII}, \cite{ArtinVersal}. \medskip\noindent Some of the notation, conventions and terminology in this chapter is awkward and may seem backwards to the more experienced reader. This is intentional. Please see Quot, Section \ref{quot-section-introduction} for an explanation. \section{Conventions} \label{section-conventions} \noindent The conventions we use in this chapter are the same as those in the chapter on algebraic stacks, see Algebraic Stacks, Section \ref{algebraic-section-conventions}. In this chapter the base scheme $S$ will often be locally Noetherian (although we will always reiterate this condition when stating results). \section{Predeformation categories} \label{section-predeformation-categories} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian base scheme. Let $$p : \mathcal{X} \longrightarrow (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $k$ be a field and let $\Spec(k) \to S$ be a morphism of finite type (see Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-point-finite-type}). We will sometimes simply say that {\it $k$ is a field of finite type over $S$}. Let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(k)$. Given $S$, $\mathcal{X}$, $k$, and $x_0$ we will construct a predeformation category, as defined in Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-predeformation-category}. The construction will resemble the construction of Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-localize-cofibered-groupoid}. \medskip\noindent First, by Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-point-finite-type} we may pick an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$ such that $\Spec(k) \to S$ factors through $\Spec(\Lambda)$ and the associated ring map $\Lambda \to k$ is finite. This provides us with the category $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$, see Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-CLambda}. The category $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$, up to canonical equivalence, does not depend on the choice of the affine open $\Spec(\Lambda)$ of $S$. Namely, $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ is equivalent to the opposite of the category of factorizations \begin{equation} \label{equation-factor} \Spec(k) \to \Spec(A) \to S \end{equation} of the structure morphism such that $A$ is an Artinian local ring and such that $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A)$ corresponds to a ring map $A \to k$ which identifies $k$ with the residue field of $A$. \medskip\noindent We let $\mathcal{F} = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ be the category whose \begin{enumerate} \item objects are morphisms $x_0 \to x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ where $p(x) = \Spec(A)$ with $A$ an Artinian local ring and $p(x_0) \to p(x) \to S$ a factorization as in (\ref{equation-factor}), and \item morphisms $(x_0 \to x) \to (x_0 \to x')$ are commutative diagrams $$\xymatrix{ x & & x' \ar[ll] \\ & x_0 \ar[lu] \ar[ru] }$$ in $\mathcal{X}$. (Note the reversal of arrows.) \end{enumerate} If $x_0 \to x$ is an object of $\mathcal{F}$ then writing $p(x) = \Spec(A)$ we obtain an object $A$ of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. We often say that $x_0 \to x$ or $x$ lies over $A$. A morphism of $\mathcal{F}$ between objects $x_0 \to x$ lying over $A$ and $x_0 \to x'$ lying over $A'$ corresponds to a morphism $x' \to x$ of $\mathcal{X}$, hence a morphism $p(x' \to x) : \Spec(A') \to \Spec(A)$ which in turn corresponds to a ring map $A \to A'$. As $\mathcal{X}$ is a category over the category of schemes over $S$ we see that $A \to A'$ is $\Lambda$-algebra homomorphism. Thus we obtain a functor \begin{equation} \label{equation-predeformation-category} p : \mathcal{F} = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \longrightarrow \mathcal{C}_\Lambda. \end{equation} We will use the notation $\mathcal{F}(A)$ to denote the fibre category over an object $A$ of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. An object of $\mathcal{F}(A)$ is simply a morphism $x_0 \to x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ such that $x$ lies over $\Spec(A)$ and $x_0 \to x$ lies over $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A)$. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-predeformation-category} The functor $p : \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ defined above is a predeformation category. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} We have to show that $\mathcal{F}$ is (a) cofibred in groupoids over $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ and (b) that $\mathcal{F}(k)$ is a category equivalent to a category with a single object and a single morphism. \medskip\noindent Proof of (a). The fibre categories of $\mathcal{F}$ over $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ are groupoids as the fibre categories of $\mathcal{X}$ are groupoids. Let $A \to A'$ be a morphism of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ and let $x_0 \to x$ be an object of $\mathcal{F}(A)$. Because $\mathcal{X}$ is fibred in groupoids, we can find a morphism $x' \to x$ lying over $\Spec(A') \to \Spec(A)$. Since the composition $A \to A' \to k$ is equal the given map $A \to k$ we see (by uniqueness of pullbacks up to isomorphism) that the pullback via $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A')$ of $x'$ is $x_0$, i.e., that there exists a morphism $x_0 \to x'$ lying over $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A')$ compatible with $x_0 \to x$ and $x' \to x$. This proves that $\mathcal{F}$ has pushforwards. We conclude by (the dual of) Categories, Lemma \ref{categories-lemma-fibred-groupoids}. \medskip\noindent Proof of (b). If $A = k$, then $\Spec(k) = \Spec(A)$ and since $\mathcal{X}$ is fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ we see that given any object $x_0 \to x$ in $\mathcal{F}(k)$ the morphism $x_0 \to x$ is an isomorphism. Hence every object of $\mathcal{F}(k)$ is isomorphic to $x_0 \to x_0$. Clearly the only self morphism of $x_0 \to x_0$ in $\mathcal{F}$ is the identity. \end{proof} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian base scheme. Let $F : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism between categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $k$ is a field of finite type over $S$. Let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(k)$. Set $y_0 = F(x_0)$ which is an object of $\mathcal{Y}$ lying over $\Spec(k)$. Then $F$ induces a functor \begin{equation} \label{equation-functoriality} F : \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, y_0} \end{equation} of categories cofibred over $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. Namely, to the object $x_0 \to x$ of $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}(A)$ we associate the object $F(x_0) \to F(x)$ of $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, y_0}(A)$. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-formally-smooth-on-deformation-categories} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $F : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume either \begin{enumerate} \item $p$ is formally smooth on objects (Criteria for Representability, Section \ref{criteria-section-formally-smooth}), \item $p$ is representable by algebraic spaces and formally smooth, or \item $p$ is representable by algebraic spaces and smooth. \end{enumerate} Then for every finite type field $k$ over $S$ and object $x_0$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $k$ the functor (\ref{equation-functoriality}) is smooth in the sense of Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-smooth-morphism}. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Case (1) is a matter of unwinding the definitions. Assumption (2) implies (1) by Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-representable-by-spaces-formally-smooth}. Assumption (3) implies (2) by More on Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma \ref{spaces-more-morphisms-lemma-smooth-formally-smooth} and the principle of Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-representable-transformations-property-implication}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-deformation-categories} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $$\xymatrix{ \mathcal{W} \ar[d] \ar[r] & \mathcal{Z} \ar[d] \\ \mathcal{X} \ar[r] & \mathcal{Y} }$$ be a $2$-fibre product of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $k$ be a finite type field over $S$ and $w_0$ an object of $\mathcal{W}$ over $k$. Let $x_0, z_0, y_0$ be the images of $w_0$ under the morphisms in the diagram. Then $$\xymatrix{ \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{W}, k, w_0} \ar[d] \ar[r] & \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Z}, k, z_0} \ar[d] \\ \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \ar[r] & \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, y_0} }$$ is a fibre product of predeformation categories. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This is a matter of unwinding the definitions. Details omitted. \end{proof} \section{Pushouts and stacks} \label{section-pushouts} \noindent In this section we show that algebraic stacks behave well with respect to certain pushouts. The results in this section hold over any base scheme. \medskip\noindent The following lemma is also correct when $Y$, $X'$, $X$, $Y'$ are algebraic spaces, see (insert future reference here). \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-pushout} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $$\xymatrix{ X \ar[r] \ar[d] & X' \ar[d] \\ Y \ar[r] & Y' }$$ be a pushout in the category of schemes over $S$ where $X \to X'$ is a thickening and $X \to Y$ is affine, see More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-pushout-along-thickening}. Let $\mathcal{Z}$ be an algebraic stack over $S$. Then the functor of fibre categories $$\mathcal{Z}_{Y'} \longrightarrow \mathcal{Z}_Y \times_{\mathcal{Z}_X} \mathcal{Z}_{X'}$$ is an equivalence of categories. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Let $y'$ be an object of left hand side. The sheaf $\mathit{Isom}(y', y')$ on the category of schemes over $Y'$ is representable by an algebraic space $I$ over $Y'$, see Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-representable-diagonal}. We conclude that the functor of the lemma is fully faithful as $Y'$ is the pushout in the category of algebraic spaces as well as the category of schemes, see Pushouts of Spaces, Lemma \ref{spaces-pushouts-lemma-pushout-along-thickening-schemes}. \medskip\noindent Let $(y, x', f)$ be an object of the right hand side. Here $f : y|_X \to x'|_X$ is an isomorphism. To finish the proof we have to construct an object $y'$ of $\mathcal{Z}_{Y'}$ whose restrictions to $Y$ and $X'$ agree with $y$ and $x'$ in a manner compatible with $\varphi$. In fact, it suffices to construct $y'$ fppf locally on $Y'$, see Stacks, Lemma \ref{stacks-lemma-characterize-essentially-surjective-when-ff}. Choose a representable algebraic stack $\mathcal{W}$ and a surjective smooth morphism $\mathcal{W} \to \mathcal{Z}$. Then $$(\Sch/Y)_{fppf} \times_{y, \mathcal{Z}} \mathcal{W} \quad\text{and}\quad (\Sch/X')_{fppf} \times_{x', \mathcal{Z}} \mathcal{W}$$ are algebraic stacks representable by algebraic spaces $V$ and $U'$ smooth over $Y$ and $X'$. The isomorphism $f$ induces an isomorphism $\varphi : V \times_Y X \to U' \times_{X'} X$ over $X$. By Pushouts of Spaces, Lemmas \ref{spaces-pushouts-lemma-pushout-along-thickening} and \ref{spaces-pushouts-lemma-equivalence-categories-spaces-pushout-flat} we see that the pushout $V' = V \amalg_{V \times_Y X} U'$ is an algebraic space smooth over $Y'$ whose base change to $Y$ and $X'$ recovers $V$ and $U'$ in a manner compatible with $\varphi$. \medskip\noindent Let $W$ be the algebraic space representing $\mathcal{W}$. The projections $V \to W$ and $U' \to W$ agree as morphisms over $V \times_Y X \cong U' \times_{X'} X$ hence the universal property of the pushout determines a morphism of algebraic spaces $V' \to W$. Choose a scheme $Y_1'$ and a surjective \'etale morphism $Y_1' \to V'$. Set $Y_1 = Y \times_{Y'} Y_1'$, $X_1' = X' \times_{Y'} Y_1'$, $X_1 = X \times_{Y'} Y_1'$. The composition $$(\Sch/Y_1') \to (\Sch/V') \to (\Sch/W) = \mathcal{W} \to \mathcal{Z}$$ corresponds by the $2$-Yoneda lemma to an object $y_1'$ of $\mathcal{Z}$ over $Y_1'$ whose restriction to $Y_1$ and $X_1'$ agrees with $y|_{Y_1}$ and $x'|_{X_1'}$ in a manner compatible with $f|_{X_1}$. Thus we have constructed our desired object smooth locally over $Y'$ and we win. \end{proof} \section{The Rim-Schlessinger condition} \label{section-RS} \noindent The motivation for the following definition comes from Lemma \ref{lemma-pushout} and Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-RS} and Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-RS-2-categorical}. \begin{definition} \label{definition-RS} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{Z}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We say $\mathcal{Z}$ satisfies {\it condition (RS)} if for every pushout $$\xymatrix{ X \ar[r] \ar[d] & X' \ar[d] \\ Y \ar[r] & Y' = Y \amalg_X X' }$$ in the category of schemes over $S$ where \begin{enumerate} \item $X$, $X'$, $Y$, $Y'$ are spectra of local Artinian rings, \item $X$, $X'$, $Y$, $Y'$ are of finite type over $S$, and \item $X \to X'$ (and hence $Y \to Y'$) is a closed immersion \end{enumerate} the functor of fibre categories $$\mathcal{Z}_{Y'} \longrightarrow \mathcal{Z}_Y \times_{\mathcal{Z}_X} \mathcal{Z}_{X'}$$ is an equivalence of categories. \end{definition} \noindent If $A$ is an Artinian local ring with residue field $k$, then any morphism $\Spec(A) \to S$ is affine and of finite type if and only if the induced morphism $\Spec(k) \to S$ is of finite type, see Morphisms, Lemmas \ref{morphisms-lemma-Artinian-affine} and \ref{morphisms-lemma-artinian-finite-type}. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-algebraic-stack-RS} Let $\mathcal{X}$ be an algebraic stack over a locally Noetherian base $S$. Then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS). \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Immediate from the definitions and Lemma \ref{lemma-pushout}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-RS} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $q : \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Y}$, and $\mathcal{Z}$ satisfy (RS), then so does $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This is formal. Let $$\xymatrix{ X \ar[r] \ar[d] & X' \ar[d] \\ Y \ar[r] & Y' = Y \amalg_X X' }$$ be a diagram as in Definition \ref{definition-RS}. We have to show that $$(\mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{Y}} \mathcal{Z})_{Y'} \longrightarrow (\mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{Y}} \mathcal{Z})_Y \times_{(\mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{Y}} \mathcal{Z})_X} (\mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{Y}} \mathcal{Z})_{X'}$$ is an equivalence. Using the definition of the $2$-fibre product this becomes \begin{equation} \label{equation-RS-fibre-product} \mathcal{X}_{Y'} \times_{\mathcal{Y}_{Y'}} \mathcal{Z}_{Y'} \longrightarrow (\mathcal{X}_Y \times_{\mathcal{Y}_Y} \mathcal{Z}_Y) \times_{(\mathcal{X}_X \times_{\mathcal{Y}_X} \mathcal{Z}_X)} (\mathcal{X}_{X'} \times_{\mathcal{Y}_{X'}} \mathcal{Z}_{X'}). \end{equation} We are given that each of the functors $$\mathcal{X}_{Y'} \to \mathcal{X}_Y \times_{\mathcal{Y}_Y} \mathcal{Z}_Y, \quad \mathcal{Y}_{Y'} \to \mathcal{X}_X \times_{\mathcal{Y}_X} \mathcal{Z}_X, \quad \mathcal{Z}_{Y'} \to \mathcal{X}_{X'} \times_{\mathcal{Y}_{X'}} \mathcal{Z}_{X'}$$ are equivalences. An object of the right hand side of (\ref{equation-RS-fibre-product}) is a system $$((x_Y, z_Y, \phi_Y), (x_{X'}, z_{X'}, \phi_{X'}), (\alpha, \beta)).$$ Then $(x_Y, x_{Y'}, \alpha)$ is isomorphic to the image of an object $x_{Y'}$ in $\mathcal{X}_{Y'}$ and $(z_Y, z_{Y'}, \beta)$ is isomorphic to the image of an object $z_{Y'}$ of $\mathcal{Z}_{Y'}$. The pair of morphisms $(\phi_Y, \phi_{X'})$ corresponds to a morphism $\psi$ between the images of $x_{Y'}$ and $z_{Y'}$ in $\mathcal{Y}_{Y'}$. Then $(x_{Y'}, z_{Y'}, \psi)$ is an object of the left hand side of (\ref{equation-RS-fibre-product}) mapping to the given object of the right hand side. This proves that (\ref{equation-RS-fibre-product}) is essentially surjective. We omit the proof that it is fully faithful. \end{proof} \section{Deformation categories} \label{section-deformation-categories} \noindent We match the notation introduced above with the notation from the chapter Formal Deformation Theory''. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-deformation-category} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ satisfying (RS). For any field $k$ of finite type over $S$ and any object $x_0$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $k$ the predeformation category $p : \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \to \mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ (\ref{equation-predeformation-category}) is a deformation category, see Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-deformation-category}. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Set $\mathcal{F} = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$. Let $f_1 : A_1 \to A$ and $f_2 : A_2 \to A$ be ring maps in $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ with $f_2$ surjective. We have to show that the functor $$\mathcal{F}(A_1 \times_A A_2) \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}(A_1) \times_{\mathcal{F}(A)} \mathcal{F}(A_2)$$ is an equivalence, see Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-RS-2-categorical}. Set $X = \Spec(A)$, $X' = \Spec(A_2)$, $Y = \Spec(A_1)$ and $Y' = \Spec(A_1 \times_A A_2)$. Note that $Y' = Y \amalg_X X'$ in the category of schemes, see More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-pushout-along-thickening}. We know that in the diagram of functors of fibre categories $$\xymatrix{ \mathcal{X}_{Y'} \ar[r] \ar[d] & \mathcal{X}_Y \times_{\mathcal{X}_X} \mathcal{X}_{X'} \ar[d] \\ \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)} \ar@{=}[r] & \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)} }$$ the top horizontal arrow is an equivalence by Definition \ref{definition-RS}. Since $\mathcal{F}(B)$ is the category of objects of $\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(B)}$ with an identification with $x_0$ over $k$ we win. \end{proof} \begin{remark} \label{remark-deformation-category-implies} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S){fppf}$. Let $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$ and $x_0$ an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $k$. Let $p : \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ be as in (\ref{equation-predeformation-category}). If $\mathcal{F}$ is a deformation category, i.e., if $\mathcal{F}$ satisfies the Rim-Schlessinger condition (RS), then we see that $\mathcal{F}$ satisfies Schlessinger's conditions (S1) and (S2) by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-RS-implies-S1-S2}. Let $\overline{\mathcal{F}}$ be the functor of isomorphism classes, see Formal Deformation Theory, Remarks \ref{formal-defos-remarks-cofibered-groupoids} (\ref{formal-defos-item-associated-functor-isomorphism-classes}). Then $\overline{\mathcal{F}}$ satisfies (S1) and (S2) as well, see Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-S1-S2-associated-functor}. This holds in particular in the situation of Lemma \ref{lemma-deformation-category}. \end{remark} \section{Change of field} \label{section-change-of-field} \noindent This section is the analogue of Formal Deformation Theory, Section \ref{formal-defos-section-change-of-field}. As pointed out there, to discuss what happens under change of field we need to write $\mathcal{C}_{\Lambda, k}$ instead of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$. In the following lemma we use the notation $\mathcal{F}_{l/k}$ introduced in Formal Deformation Theory, Situation \ref{formal-defos-situation-change-of-fields}. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-change-of-field} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$ and let $l/k$ be a finite extension. Let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{F}$ lying over $\Spec(k)$. Denote $x_{l, 0}$ the restriction of $x_0$ to $\Spec(l)$. Then there is a canonical functor $$(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k , x_0})_{l/k} \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$$ of categories cofibred in groupoids over $\mathcal{C}_{\Lambda, l}$. If $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS), then this functor is an equivalence. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Consider a factorization $$\Spec(l) \to \Spec(B) \to S$$ as in (\ref{equation-factor}). By definition we have $$(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k , x_0})_{l/k}(B) = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}(B \times_l k)$$ see Formal Deformation Theory, Situation \ref{formal-defos-situation-change-of-fields}. Thus an object of this is a morphism $x_0 \to x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over the morphism $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(B \times_l k)$. Choosing pullback functor for $\mathcal{X}$ we can associate to $x_0 \to x$ the morphism $x_{l, 0} \to x_B$ where $x_B$ is the restriction of $x$ to $\Spec(B)$ (via the morphism $\Spec(B) \to \Spec(B \times_l k)$ coming from $B \times_l k \subset B$). This construction is functorial in $B$ and compatible with morphisms. \medskip\noindent Next, assume $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS). Consider the diagrams $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ l & B \ar[l] \\ k \ar[u] & B \times_l k \ar[l] \ar[u] } } \quad\text{and}\quad \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ \Spec(l) \ar[d] \ar[r] & \Spec(B) \ar[d] \\ \Spec(k) \ar[r] & \Spec(B \times_l k) } }$$ The diagram on the left is a fibre product of rings. The diagram on the right is a pushout in the category of schemes, see More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-pushout-along-thickening}. These schemes are all of finite type over $S$ (see remarks following Definition \ref{definition-RS}). Hence (RS) kicks in to give an equivalence of fibre categories $$\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(B \times_l k)} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)} \times_{\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(l)}} \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(B)}$$ This implies that the functor defined above gives an equivalence of fibre categories. Hence the functor is an equivalence on categories cofibred in groupoids by (the dual of) Categories, Lemma \ref{categories-lemma-equivalence-fibred-categories}. \end{proof} \section{Tangent spaces} \label{section-tangent-spaces} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$ and let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $k$. In Formal Deformation Theory, Section \ref{formal-defos-section-tangent-spaces} we have defined the {\it tangent space} \begin{equation} \label{equation-tangent-space} T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} \text{isomorphism classes of morphisms}\\ x_0 \to x\text{ over }\Spec(k) \to \Spec(k[\epsilon]) \end{matrix} \right\} \end{equation} of the predeformation category $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$. In Formal Deformation Theory, Section \ref{formal-defos-section-infinitesimal-automorphisms} we have defined \begin{equation} \label{equation-infinitesimal-automorphisms} \text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}) = \Ker\left( \text{Aut}_{\Spec(k[\epsilon])}(x'_0) \to \text{Aut}_{\Spec(k)}(x_0) \right) \end{equation} where $x_0'$ is the pullback of $x_0$ to $\Spec(k[\epsilon])$. If $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies the Rim-Schlessinger condition (RS), then $T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ comes equipped with a natural $k$-vector space structure by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-tangent-space-vector-space} (assumptions hold by Lemma \ref{lemma-deformation-category} and Remark \ref{remark-deformation-category-implies}). Moreover, Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-infaut-vector-space} shows that $\text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0})$ has a natural $k$-vector space structure such that addition agrees with composition of automorphisms. A natural condition is to ask these vector spaces to have finite dimension. \medskip\noindent The following lemma tells us this is true if $\mathcal{X}$ is locally of finite type over $S$ (see Morphisms of Stacks, Section \ref{stacks-morphisms-section-finite-type}). \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-finite-dimension} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack, \item $U$ is a scheme locally of finite type over $S$, and \item $(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}$ is a smooth surjective morphism. \end{enumerate} Then, for any $\mathcal{F} = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ as in Section \ref{section-predeformation-categories} the tangent space $T\mathcal{F}$ and infinitesimal automorphism space $\text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F})$ have finite dimension over $k$ \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Let us write $\mathcal{U} = (\Sch/U)_{fppf}$. By our definition of algebraic stacks the $1$-morphism $\mathcal{U} \to \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces. Hence in particular the 2-fibre product $$\mathcal{U}_{x_0} = (\Sch/\Spec(k))_{fppf} \times_\mathcal{X} \mathcal{U}$$ is representable by an algebraic space $U_{x_0}$ over $\Spec(k)$. Then $U_{x_0} \to \Spec(k)$ is smooth and surjective (in particular $U_{x_0}$ is nonempty). By Spaces over Fields, Lemma \ref{spaces-over-fields-lemma-smooth-separable-closed-points-dense} we can find a finite extension $l \supset k$ and a point $\Spec(l) \to U_{x_0}$ over $k$. We have $$(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k , x_0})_{l/k} = \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$$ by Lemma \ref{lemma-change-of-field} and the fact that $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS). Thus we see that $$T\mathcal{F} \otimes_k l \cong T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}} \quad\text{and}\quad \text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}) \otimes_k l \cong \text{Inf}_{x_{l, 0}}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}})$$ by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemmas \ref{formal-defos-lemma-tangent-space-change-of-field} and \ref{formal-defos-lemma-inf-aut-change-of-field} (these are applicable by Lemmas \ref{lemma-algebraic-stack-RS} and \ref{lemma-deformation-category} and Remark \ref{remark-deformation-category-implies}). Hence it suffices to prove that $T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$ and $\text{Inf}_{x_{l, 0}}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}})$ have finite dimension over $l$. Note that $x_{l, 0}$ comes from a point $u_0$ of $\mathcal{U}$ over $l$. \medskip\noindent We interrupt the flow of the argument to show that the lemma for infinitesimal automorphisms follows from the lemma for tangent spaces. Namely, let $\mathcal{R} = \mathcal{U} \times_\mathcal{X} \mathcal{U}$. Let $r_0$ be the $l$-valued point $(u_0, u_0, \text{id}_{x_0})$ of $\mathcal{R}$. Combining Lemma \ref{lemma-fibre-product-deformation-categories} and Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-deformation-functor-diagonal} we see that $$\text{Inf}_{x_{l, 0}}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}) \subset T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{R}, k, r_0}$$ Note that $\mathcal{R}$ is an algebraic stack, see Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-2-fibre-product-general}. Also, $\mathcal{R}$ is representable by an algebraic space $R$ smooth over $U$ (via either projection, see Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-stack-presentation}). Hence, choose an scheme $U'$ and a surjective \'etale morphism $U' \to R$ we see that $U'$ is smooth over $U$, hence locally of finite type over $S$. As $(\Sch/U')_{fppf} \to \mathcal{R}$ is surjective and smooth, we have reduced the question to the case of tangent spaces. \medskip\noindent The functor (\ref{equation-functoriality}) $$\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{U}, l, u_0} \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$$ is smooth by Lemma \ref{lemma-formally-smooth-on-deformation-categories}. The induced map on tangent spaces $$T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{U}, l, u_0} \longrightarrow T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$$ is $l$-linear (by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-k-linear-differential}) and surjective (as smooth maps of predeformation categories induce surjective maps on tangent spaces by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-smooth-morphism-essentially-surjective}). Hence it suffices to prove that the tangent space of the deformation space associated to the representable algebraic stack $\mathcal{U}$ at the point $u_0$ is finite dimensional. Let $\Spec(R) \subset U$ be an affine open such that $u_0 : \Spec(l) \to U$ factors through $\Spec(R)$ and such that $\Spec(R) \to S$ factors through $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$. Let $\mathfrak m_R \subset R$ be the kernel of the $\Lambda$-algebra map $\varphi_0 : R \to l$ corresponding to $u_0$. Note that $R$, being of finite type over the Noetherian ring $\Lambda$, is a Noetherian ring. Hence $\mathfrak m_R = (f_1, \ldots, f_n)$ is a finitely generated ideal. We have $$T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{U}, l, u_0} = \{\varphi : R \to l[\epsilon] \mid \varphi \text{ is a } \Lambda\text{-algebra map and } \varphi \bmod \epsilon = \varphi_0\}$$ An element of the right hand side is determined by its values on $f_1, \ldots, f_n$ hence the dimension is at most $n$ and we win. Some details omitted. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-tangent-spaces} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $q : \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Y}$, $\mathcal{Z}$ satisfy (RS). Let $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$ and let $w_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{W} = \mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$ over $k$. Denote $x_0, y_0, z_0$ the objects of $\mathcal{X}, \mathcal{Y}, \mathcal{Z}$ you get from $w_0$. Then there is a $6$-term exact sequence $$\xymatrix{ 0 \ar[r] & \text{Inf}_{w_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{W}, k, W_0}) \ar[r] & \text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}) \oplus \text{Inf}_{z_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Z}, k, z_0}) \ar[r] & \text{Inf}_{y_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, y_0}) \ar[lld] \\ & T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{W}, k, w_0} \ar[r] & T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \oplus T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Z}, k, z_0} \ar[r] & T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, y_0} }$$ of $k$-vector spaces. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Apply Lemmas \ref{lemma-fibre-product-deformation-categories} and \ref{lemma-deformation-category} and Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-deformation-categories-fiber-product-morphisms}. \end{proof} \section{Formal objects} \label{section-formal-objects} \noindent In this section we transfer some of the notions already defined in the chapter Formal Deformation Theory'' to the current setting. In the following we will say $R$ is an $S$-algebra'' to indicate that $R$ is a ring endowed with a morphism of schemes $\Spec(R) \to S$. \begin{definition} \label{definition-formal-objects} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. \begin{enumerate} \item A {\it formal object} $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ of $\mathcal{X}$ consists of a Noetherian complete local $S$-algebra $R$, objects $\xi_n$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m_R^n)$, and morphisms $f_n : \xi_n \to \xi_{n + 1}$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) \to \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^{n + 1})$ such that $R/\mathfrak m$ is a field of finite type over $S$. \item A {\it morphism of formal objects} $a : \xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n) \to \eta = (T, \eta_n, g_n)$ is given by morphisms $a_n : \xi_n \to \eta_n$ such that for every $n$ the diagram $$\xymatrix{ \xi_{n + 1} \ar[r]_{f_n} \ar[d]_{a_{n + 1}} & \xi_n \ar[d]^{a_n} \\ \eta_{n + 1} \ar[r]^{g_n} & \eta_n }$$ is commutative. Applying the functor $p$ we obtain a compatible collection of morphisms $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m_R^n) \to \Spec(T/\mathfrak m_T^n)$ and hence a morphism $a_0 : \Spec(R) \to \Spec(T)$ over $S$. We say that $a$ {\it lies over} $a_0$. \end{enumerate} \end{definition} \noindent Thus we obtain a category of formal objects of $\mathcal{X}$. \begin{remark} \label{remark-formal-objects-match} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ be a formal object. Set $k = R/\mathfrak m$ and $x_0 = \xi_1$. The formal object $\xi$ defines a formal object $\xi$ of the predeformation category $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$. This follows immediately from Definition \ref{definition-formal-objects} above, Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-formal-objects}, and our construction of the predeformation category $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ in Section \ref{section-predeformation-categories}. \end{remark} \noindent If $F : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ is a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$, then $F$ induces a functor between categories of formal objects as well. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-smooth-lift-formal} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $F : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $\eta = (R, \eta_n, g_n)$ be a formal object of $\mathcal{Y}$ and let $\xi_1$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ with $F(\xi_1) \cong \eta_1$. If $F$ is formally smooth on objects (see Criteria for Representability, Section \ref{criteria-section-formally-smooth}), then there exists a formal object $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ of $\mathcal{X}$ such that $F(\xi) \cong \eta$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Note that each of the morphisms $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) \to \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^{n + 1})$ is a first order thickening of affine schemes over $S$. Hence the assumption on $F$ means that we can successively lift $\xi_1$ to objects $\xi_2, \xi_3, \ldots$ of $\mathcal{X}$ endowed with compatible isomorphisms $\eta_n|_{\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^{n - 1})} \cong \eta_{n - 1}$ and $F(\eta_n) \cong \xi_n$. \end{proof} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Suppose that $x$ is an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $R$, where $R$ is a Noetherian complete local $S$-algebra with residue field of finite type over $S$. Then we can consider the system of restrictions $\xi_n = x|_{\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)}$ endowed with the natural morphisms $\xi_1 \to \xi_2 \to \ldots$ coming from transitivity of restriction. Thus $\xi = (R, \xi_n, \xi_n \to \xi_{n + 1})$ is a formal object of $\mathcal{X}$. This construction is functorial in the object $x$. Thus we obtain a functor \begin{equation} \label{equation-approximation} \left\{ \begin{matrix} \text{objects }x\text{ of }\mathcal{X} \text{ such that }p(x) = \Spec(R) \\ \text{where }R\text{ is Noetherian complete local}\\ \text{with }R/\mathfrak m\text{ of finite type over }S \end{matrix} \right\} \longrightarrow \left\{ \begin{matrix} \text{formal objects of }\mathcal{X} \end{matrix} \right\} \end{equation} To be precise the left hand side is the full subcategory of $\mathcal{X}$ consisting of objects as indicated and the right hand side is the category of formal objects of $\mathcal{X}$ as in Definition \ref{definition-formal-objects}. \begin{definition} \label{definition-effective} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. A formal object $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ of $\mathcal{X}$ is called {\it effective} if it is in the essential image of the functor (\ref{equation-approximation}). \end{definition} \noindent If the category fibred in groupoids is an algebraic stack, then every formal object is effective as follows from the next lemma. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-effective} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be an algebraic stack over $S$. The functor (\ref{equation-approximation}) is an equivalence. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Case I: $\mathcal{X}$ is representable (by a scheme). Say $\mathcal{X} = (\Sch/X)_{fppf}$ for some scheme $X$ over $S$. Unwinding the definitions we have to prove the following: Given a Noetherian complete local $S$-algebra $R$ with $R/\mathfrak m$ of finite type over $S$ we have $$\Mor_S(\Spec(R), X) \longrightarrow \lim \Mor_S(\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n), X)$$ is bijective. This follows from Formal Spaces, Lemma \ref{formal-spaces-lemma-map-into-scheme}. \medskip\noindent Case II. $\mathcal{X}$ is representable by an algebraic space. Say $\mathcal{X}$ is representable by $X$. Again we have to show that $$\Mor_S(\Spec(R), X) \longrightarrow \lim \Mor_S(\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n), X)$$ is bijective for $R$ as above. This is Formal Spaces, Lemma \ref{formal-spaces-lemma-map-into-algebraic-space}. \medskip\noindent Case III: General case of an algebraic stack. A general remark is that the left and right hand side of (\ref{equation-approximation}) are categories fibred in groupoids over the category of affine schemes over $S$ which are spectra of Noetherian complete local rings with residue field of finite type over $S$. We will also see in the proof below that they form stacks for a certain topology on this category. \medskip\noindent We first prove fully faithfulness. Let $R$ be a Noetherian complete local $S$-algebra with $k = R/\mathfrak m$ of finite type over $S$. Let $x, x'$ be objects of $\mathcal{X}$ over $R$. As $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack $\mathit{Isom}(x, x')$ is representable by an algebraic space $I$ over $\Spec(R)$, see Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-representable-diagonal}. Applying Case II to $I$ over $\Spec(R)$ implies immediately that (\ref{equation-approximation}) is fully faithful on fibre categories over $\Spec(R)$. Hence the functor is fully faithful by Categories, Lemma \ref{categories-lemma-equivalence-fibred-categories}. \medskip\noindent Essential surjectivity. Let $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ be a formal object of $\mathcal{X}$. Choose a scheme $U$ over $S$ and a surjective smooth morphism $f : (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}$. For every $n$ consider the fibre product $$(\Sch/\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n))_{fppf} \times_{\xi_n, \mathcal{X}, f} (\Sch/U)_{fppf}$$ By assumption this is representable by an algebraic space $V_n$ surjective and smooth over $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)$. The morphisms $f_n : \xi_n \to \xi_{n + 1}$ induce cartesian squares $$\xymatrix{ V_{n + 1} \ar[d] & V_n \ar[d] \ar[l] \\ \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^{n + 1}) & \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) \ar[l] }$$ of algebraic spaces. By Spaces over Fields, Lemma \ref{spaces-over-fields-lemma-smooth-separable-closed-points-dense} we can find a finite separable extension $k \subset k'$ and a point $v'_1 : \Spec(k') \to V_1$ over $k$. Let $R \subset R'$ be the finite \'etale extension whose residue field extension is $k \subset k'$ (exists and is unique by Algebra, Lemmas \ref{algebra-lemma-henselian-cat-finite-etale} and \ref{algebra-lemma-complete-henselian}). By the infinitesimal lifting criterion of smoothness (see More on Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma \ref{spaces-more-morphisms-lemma-smooth-formally-smooth}) applied to $V_n \to \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)$ for $n = 2, 3, 4, \ldots$ we can successively find morphisms $v'_n : \Spec(R'/(\mathfrak m')^n) \to V_n$ over $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)$ fitting into commutative diagrams $$\xymatrix{ \Spec(R'/(\mathfrak m')^{n + 1}) \ar[d]_{v'_{n + 1}} & \Spec(R'/(\mathfrak m')^n) \ar[d]^{v'_n} \ar[l] \\ V_{n + 1} & V_n \ar[l] }$$ Composing with the projection morphisms $V_n \to U$ we obtain a compatible system of morphisms $u'_n : \Spec(R'/(\mathfrak m')^n) \to U$. By Case I the family $(u'_n)$ comes from a unique morphism $u' : \Spec(R') \to U$. Denote $x'$ the object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(R')$ we get by applying the $1$-morphism $f$ to $u'$. By construction, there exists a morphism of formal objects $$(\ref{equation-approximation})(x') = (R', x'|_{\Spec(R'/(\mathfrak m')^n)}, \ldots) \longrightarrow (R, \xi_n, f_n)$$ lying over $\Spec(R') \to \Spec(R)$. Note that $R' \otimes_R R'$ is a finite product of spectra of Noetherian complete local rings to which our current discussion applies. Denote $p_0, p_1 : \Spec(R' \otimes_R R') \to \Spec(R')$ the two projections. By the fully faithfulness shown above there exists a canonical isomorphism $\varphi : p_0^*x' \to p_1^*x'$ because we have such isomorphisms over $\Spec((R' \otimes_R R')/\mathfrak m^n(R' \otimes_R R'))$. We omit the proof that the isomorphism $\varphi$ satisfies the cocycle condition (see Stacks, Definition \ref{stacks-definition-descent-data}). Since $\{\Spec(R') \to \Spec(R)\}$ is an fppf covering we conclude that $x'$ descends to an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(R)$. We omit the proof that $x_n$ is the restriction of $x$ to $\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)$. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-effective} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $q : \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If the functor (\ref{equation-approximation}) is an equivalence for $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Y}$, and $\mathcal{Z}$, then it is and equivalence for $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} The left and the right hand side of (\ref{equation-approximation}) for $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$ are simply the $2$-fibre products of the left and the right hand side of (\ref{equation-approximation}) for $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Z}$ over $\mathcal{Y}$. Hence the result follows as taking $2$-fibre products is compatible with equivalences of categories, see Categories, Lemma \ref{categories-lemma-equivalence-2-fibre-product}. \end{proof} \section{Approximation} \label{section-approximation} \noindent A fundamental insight of Michael Artin is that you can approximate objects of a limit preserving stack. Namely, given an object $x$ of the stack over a Noetherian complete local ring, you can find an object $x_A$ over an algebraic ring which is close to'' $x$. Here an algebraic ring means a finite type $S$-algebra and close means adically close. In this section we present this in a simple, yet general form. \medskip\noindent To formulate the result we need to pull together some definitions from different places in the Stacks project. First, in Criteria for Representability, Section \ref{criteria-section-limit-preserving} we introduced {\it limit preserving on objects} for $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over the category of schemes. In More on Algebra, Definition \ref{more-algebra-definition-G-ring} we defined the notion of a {\it G-ring}. Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $A$ be an $S$-algebra. We say that $A$ is {\it of finite type over $S$} or is a {\it finite type $S$-algebra} if $\Spec(A) \to S$ is of finite type. In this case $A$ is a Noetherian ring. Finally, given a ring $A$ and ideal $I$ we denote $\text{Gr}_I(A) = \bigoplus I^n/I^{n + 1}$. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-approximate} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(R)$ where $R$ is a Noetherian complete local ring with residue field $k$ of finite type over $S$. Let $s \in S$ be the image of $\Spec(k) \to S$. Assume that (a) $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring and (b) $p$ is limit preserving on objects. Then for every integer $N \geq 1$ there exist \begin{enumerate} \item a finite type $S$-algebra $A$, \item a maximal ideal $\mathfrak m_A \subset A$, \item an object $x_A$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(A)$, \item an $S$-isomorphism $R/\mathfrak m_R^N \cong A/\mathfrak m_A^N$, \item an isomorphism $x|_{\Spec(R/\mathfrak m_R^N)} \cong x_A|_{\Spec(A/\mathfrak m_A^N)}$ compatible with (4), and \item an isomorphism $\text{Gr}_{\mathfrak m_R}(R) \cong \text{Gr}_{\mathfrak m_A}(A)$ of graded $k$-algebras. \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Choose an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$ such that $k$ is a finite $\Lambda$-algebra, see Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-point-finite-type}. We may and do replace $S$ by $\Spec(\Lambda)$. \medskip\noindent We may write $R$ as a directed colimit $R = \colim C_j$ where each $C_j$ is a finite type $\Lambda$-algebra (see Algebra, Lemma \ref{algebra-lemma-ring-colimit-fp}). By assumption (b) the object $x$ is isomorphic to the restriction of an object over one of the $C_j$. Hence we may choose a finite type $\Lambda$-algebra $C$, a $\Lambda$-algebra map $C \to R$, and an object $x_C$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(C)$ such that $x = x_C|_{\Spec(R)}$. The choice of $C$ is a bookkeeping device and could be avoided. For later use, let us write $C = \Lambda[y_1, \ldots, y_u]/(f_1, \ldots, f_v)$ and we denote $\overline{a}_i \in R$ the image of $y_i$ under the map $C \to R$. Set $\mathfrak m_C = C \cap \mathfrak m_R$. \medskip\noindent Choose a $\Lambda$-algebra surjection $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s] \to k$ and denote $\mathfrak m'$ the kernel. By the universal property of polynomial rings we may lift this to a $\Lambda$-algebra map $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s] \to R$. We add some variables (i.e., we increase $s$ a bit) mapping to generators of $\mathfrak m_R$. Having done this we see that $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s] \to R/\mathfrak m_R^2$ is surjective. Then we see that \begin{equation} \label{equation-surjection} P = \Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'}^\wedge \longrightarrow R \end{equation} is a surjective map of Noetherian complete local rings, see for example Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-surjective-cotangent-space}. \medskip\noindent Choose lifts $a_i \in P$ of $\overline{a}_i$ we found above. Choose generators $b_1, \ldots, b_r \in P$ for the kernel of (\ref{equation-surjection}). Choose $c_{ji} \in P$ such that $$f_j(a_1, \ldots, a_u) = \sum c_{ji} b_i$$ in $P$ which is possible by the choices made so far. Choose generators $$k_1, \ldots, k_t \in \Ker(P^{\oplus r} \xrightarrow{(b_1, \ldots, b_r)} P)$$ and write $k_i = (k_{i1}, \ldots, k_{ir})$ and $K = (k_{ij})$ so that $$P^{\oplus t} \xrightarrow{K} P^{\oplus r} \xrightarrow{(b_1, \ldots, b_r)} P \to R \to 0$$ is an exact sequence of $P$-modules. In particular we have $\sum k_{ij} b_j = 0$. After possibly increasing $N$ we may assume $N - 1$ works in the Artin-Rees lemma for the first two maps of this exact sequence (see More on Algebra, Section \ref{more-algebra-section-artin-rees} for terminology). \medskip\noindent By assumption $\mathcal{O}_{S, s} = \Lambda_{\Lambda \cap \mathfrak m'}$ is a G-ring. Hence by More on Algebra, Proposition \ref{more-algebra-proposition-finite-type-over-G-ring} the ring $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'}$ is a $G$-ring. Hence by Smoothing Ring Maps, Theorem \ref{smoothing-theorem-approximation-property-variant} there exist an \'etale ring map $$\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'} \to B,$$ a maximal ideal $\mathfrak m_B$ of $B$ lying over $\mathfrak m'$, and elements $a'_i, b'_i, c'_{ij}, k'_{ij} \in B'$ such that \begin{enumerate} \item $\kappa(\mathfrak m') = \kappa(\mathfrak m_B)$ which implies that $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'} \subset B_{\mathfrak m_B} \subset P$ and $P$ is identified with the completion of $B$ at $\mathfrak m_B$, see remark preceding Smoothing Ring Maps, Theorem \ref{smoothing-theorem-approximation-property-variant}, \item $a_i - a'_i, b_i - b'_i, c_{ij} - c'_{ij}, k_{ij} - k'_{ij} \in (\mathfrak m')^N P$, and \item $f_j(a'_1, \ldots, a'_u) = \sum c'_{ji} b'_i$ and $\sum k'_{ij}b'_j = 0$. \end{enumerate} Set $A = B/(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r)$ and denote $\mathfrak m_A$ the image of $\mathfrak m_B$ in $A$. (Note that $A$ is essentially of finite type over $\Lambda$; at the end of the proof we will show how to obtain an $A$ which is of finite type over $\Lambda$.) There is a ring map $C \to A$ sending $y_i \mapsto a'_i$ because the $a'_i$ satisfy the desired equations modulo $(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r)$. Note that $A/\mathfrak m_A^N = R/\mathfrak m_R^N$ as quotients of $P = B^\wedge$ by property (2) above. Set $x_A = x_C|_{\Spec(A)}$. Since the maps $$C \to A \to A/\mathfrak m_A^N \cong R/\mathfrak m_R^N \quad\text{and}\quad C \to R \to R/\mathfrak m_R^N$$ are equal we see that $x_A$ and $x$ agree modulo $\mathfrak m_R^N$ via the isomorphism $A/\mathfrak m_A^N = R/\mathfrak m_R^N$. At this point we have shown properties (1) -- (5) of the statement of the lemma. To see (6) note that $$P^{\oplus t} \xrightarrow{K} P^{\oplus r} \xrightarrow{(b_1, \ldots, b_r)} P \quad\text{and}\quad P^{\oplus t} \xrightarrow{K'} P^{\oplus r} \xrightarrow{(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r)} P$$ are two complexes of $P$-modules which are congruent modulo $(\mathfrak m')^N$ with the first one being exact. By our choice of $N$ above we see from More on Algebra, Lemma \ref{more-algebra-lemma-approximate-complex-graded} that $R = P/(b_1, \ldots, b_r)$ and $P/(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r) = B^\wedge/(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r) = A^\wedge$ have isomorphic associated graded algebras, which is what we wanted to show. \medskip\noindent This last paragraph of the proof serves to clean up the issue that $A$ is essentially of finite type over $S$ and not yet of finite type. The construction above gives $A = B/(b'_1, \ldots, b'_r)$ and $\mathfrak m_A \subset A$ with $B$ \'etale over $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'}$. Hence $A$ is of finite type over the Noetherian ring $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_s]_{\mathfrak m'}$. Thus we can write $A = (A_0)_{\mathfrak m'}$ for some finite type $\Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_n]$ algebra $A_0$. Then $A = \colim (A_0)_f$ where $f \in \Lambda[x_1, \ldots, x_n] \setminus \mathfrak m'$, see Algebra, Lemma \ref{algebra-lemma-localization-colimit}. Because $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects, we see that $x_A$ comes from some object $x_{(A_0)_f}$ over $\Spec((A_0)_f)$ for an $f$ as above. After replacing $A$ by $(A_0)_f$ and $x_A$ by $x_{(A_0)_f}$ and $\mathfrak m_A$ by $(A_0)_f \cap \mathfrak m_A$ the proof is finished. \end{proof} \section{Limit preserving} \label{section-limits} \noindent The morphism $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects, as defined in Criteria for Representability, Section \ref{criteria-section-limit-preserving}, if the functor of the definition below is essentially surjective. However, the example in Examples, Section \ref{examples-section-limit-preserving} shows that this isn't equivalent to being limit preserving. \begin{definition} \label{definition-limit-preserving} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We say $\mathcal{X}$ is {\it limit preserving} if for every affine scheme $T$ over $S$ which is a limit $T = \lim T_i$ of a directed inverse system of affine schemes $T_i$ over $S$, we have an equivalence $$\colim \mathcal{X}_{T_i} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X}_T$$ of fibre categories. \end{definition} \noindent We spell out what this means. First, given objects $x, y$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $T_i$ we should have $$\Mor_{\mathcal{X}_T}(x|_T, y|_T) = \colim_{i' \geq i} \Mor_{\mathcal{X}_{T_i'}}(x|_{T_i'}, y|_{T_i'})$$ and second every object of $\mathcal{X}_T$ is isomorphic to the restriction of an object over $T_i$ for some $i$. Note that the first condition means that the presheaves $\mathit{Isom}_\mathcal{X}(x, y)$ (see Stacks, Definition \ref{stacks-definition-mor-presheaf}) are limit preserving. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-limit-preserving} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $q : \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. \begin{enumerate} \item If $\mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ and $\mathcal{Z} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ are limit preserving on objects and $\mathcal{Y}$ is limit preserving, then $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects. \item If $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Y}$, and $\mathcal{Z}$ are limit preserving, then so is $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$. \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This is formal. Proof of (1). Let $T = \lim_{i \in I} T_i$ be the directed limit of affine schemes $T_i$ over $S$. We will prove that the functor $\colim \mathcal{X}_{T_i} \to \mathcal{X}_T$ is essentially surjective. Recall that an object of the fibre product over $T$ is a quadruple $(T, x, z, \alpha)$ where $x$ is an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $T$, $z$ is an object of $\mathcal{Z}$ lying over $T$, and $\alpha : p(x) \to q(z)$ is a morphism in the fibre category of $\mathcal{Y}$ over $T$. By assumption on $\mathcal{X}$ and $\mathcal{Z}$ we can find an $i$ and objects $x_i$ and $z_i$ over $T_i$ such that $x_i|_T \cong T$ and $z_i|_T \cong z$. Then $\alpha$ corresponds to an isomorphism $p(x_i)|_T \to q(z_i)|_T$ which comes from an isomorphism $\alpha_{i'} : p(x_i)|_{T_{i'}} \to q(z_i)|_{T_{i'}}$ by our assumption on $\mathcal{Y}$. After replacing $i$ by $i'$, $x_i$ by $x_i|_{T_{i'}}$, and $z_i$ by $z_i|_{T_{i'}}$ we see that $(T_i, x_i, z_i, \alpha_i)$ is an object of the fibre product over $T_i$ which restricts to an object isomorphic to $(T, x, z, \alpha)$ over $T$ as desired. \medskip\noindent We omit the arguments showing that $\colim \mathcal{X}_{T_i} \to \mathcal{X}_T$ is fully faithful in (2). \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-limit-preserving-algebraic-space} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be an algebraic stack over $S$. Then the following are equivalent \begin{enumerate} \item $\mathcal{X}$ is a stack in setoids and $\mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects, \item $\mathcal{X}$ is a stack in setoids and limit preserving, \item $\mathcal{X}$ is representable by an algebraic space locally of finite presentation. \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Under each of the three assumptions $\mathcal{X}$ is representable by an algebraic space $X$ over $S$, see Algebraic Stacks, Proposition \ref{algebraic-proposition-algebraic-stack-no-automorphisms}. It is clear that (1) and (2) are equivalent as a functor between setoids is an equivalence if and only if it is surjective on isomorphism classes. Finally, (1) and (3) are equivalent by Limits of Spaces, Proposition \ref{spaces-limits-proposition-characterize-locally-finite-presentation}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-diagonal} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces and $\mathcal{X}$ is limit preserving. Then $\Delta$ is locally of finite type. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} We apply Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-property-limit-preserving}. Let $V$ be an affine scheme $V$ of finite type over $S$ and let $\theta$ be an object of $\mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ over $V$. Let $F_\theta$ be an algebraic space representing $\mathcal{X} \times_{\Delta, \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}, \theta} (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ and let $f_\theta : Y \to V$ be the canonical morphism (see Algebraic Stacks, Section \ref{algebraic-section-morphisms-representable-by-algebraic-spaces}). It suffices to show that $F_\theta \to V$ has the corresponding properties. By Lemmas \ref{lemma-fibre-product-limit-preserving} and \ref{lemma-limit-preserving-algebraic-space} we see that $F_\theta \to S$ is locally of finite presentation. It follows that $F_\theta \to V$ is locally of finite type by Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma \ref{spaces-morphisms-lemma-permanence-finite-type}. \end{proof} \section{Versality} \label{section-versality} \noindent In the previous section we explained how to approximate objects over complete local rings by algebraic objects. But in order to show that a stack $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack, we need to find smooth $1$-morphisms from schemes towards $\mathcal{X}$. Since we are not going to assume a priori that $\mathcal{X}$ has a representable diagonal, we cannot even speak about smooth morphisms towards $\mathcal{X}$. Instead, borrowing terminology from deformation theory, we will introduce versal objects. \begin{definition} \label{definition-versal-formal-object} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ be a formal object. Set $k = R/\mathfrak m$ and $x_0 = \xi_1$. We will say that $\xi$ is {\it versal} if $\xi$ as a formal object of $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ (Remark \ref{remark-formal-objects-match}) is versal in the sense of Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-versal}. \end{definition} \noindent We briefly spell out what this means. With notation as in the definition, suppose given morphisms $\xi_1 = x_0 \to y \to z$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over closed immersions $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A) \to \Spec(B)$ where $A, B$ are Artinian local rings with residue field $k$. Suppose given an $n \geq 1$ and a commutative diagram $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & y \ar[ld] \\ \xi_n & \xi_1 \ar[u] \ar[l] } } \quad\text{lying over}\quad \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & \Spec(A) \ar[ld] \\ \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) & \Spec(k) \ar[u] \ar[l] } }$$ Versality means that for any data as above there exists an $m \geq n$ and a commutative diagram $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & & z \ar[lldd] \\ & & y \ar[ld] \ar[u] \\ \xi_m & \xi_n \ar[l] & \xi_1 \ar[u] \ar[l] } } \quad\text{lying over} \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & & \Spec(B) \ar[lldd] \\ & & \Spec(A) \ar[ld] \ar[u] \\ \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^m) & \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) \ar[l] & \Spec(k) \ar[u] \ar[l] } }$$ Please compare with Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-versal-object}. \medskip\noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $U$ be a scheme over $S$ with structure morphism $U \to S$ locally of finite type. Let $u_0 \in U$ be a finite type point of $U$, see Morphisms, Definition \ref{morphisms-definition-finite-type-point}. Set $k = \kappa(u_0)$. Note that the composition $\Spec(k) \to S$ is also of finite type, see Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-composition-finite-type}. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ which lies over $U$. Denote $x_0$ the pullback of $x$ by $u_0$. By the $2$-Yoneda lemma $x$ corresponds to a $1$-morphism $$x : (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X},$$ see Algebraic Stacks, Section \ref{algebraic-section-2-yoneda}. We obtain a morphism of predeformation categories \begin{equation} \label{equation-hat-x} \hat x : \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, k, u_0} \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}, \end{equation} over $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ see (\ref{equation-functoriality}). \begin{definition} \label{definition-versal} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $U$ be a scheme locally of finite type over $S$. Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $U$. Let $u_0$ be finite type point of $U$. We say $x$ is {\it versal} at $u_0$ if the morphism $\hat x$ (\ref{equation-hat-x}) is smooth, see Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-smooth-morphism}. \end{definition} \noindent This definition matches our notion of versality for formal objects of $\mathcal{X}$. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-versality-matches} With notation as in Definition \ref{definition-versal}. Let $R = \mathcal{O}_{U, u_0}^\wedge$. Let $\xi$ be the formal object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $R$ associated to $x|_{\Spec(R)}$, see (\ref{equation-approximation}). Then $$x\text{ is versal at }u_0 \Leftrightarrow \xi\text{ is versal}$$ \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Observe that $\mathcal{O}_{U, u_0}$ is a Noetherian local $S$-algebra with residue field $k$. Hence $R = \mathcal{O}_{U, u_0}^\wedge$ is an object of $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda^\wedge$, see Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-completion-CLambda}. Recall that $\xi$ is versal if $\underline{\xi} : \underline{R}|_{\mathcal{C}_\Lambda} \to \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ is smooth and $x$ is versal at $u_0$ if $\hat x : \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, k, u_0} \to \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ is smooth. There is an identification of predeformation categories $$\underline{R}|_{\mathcal{C}_\Lambda} = \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, k, u_0},$$ see Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-formal-objects-yoneda} for notation. Namely, given an Artinian local $S$-algebra $A$ with residue field identified with $k$ we have $$\Mor_{\mathcal{C}_\Lambda^\wedge}(R, A) = \{\varphi \in \Mor_S(\Spec(A), U) \mid \varphi|_{\Spec(k)} = u_0\}$$ Unwinding the definitions the reader verifies that the resulting map $$\underline{R}|_{\mathcal{C}_\Lambda} = \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, k, u_0} \xrightarrow{\hat x} \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0},$$ is equal to $\underline{\xi}$ and we see that the lemma is true. \end{proof} \noindent Here is a sanity check. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-versal-implies-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : U \to V$ be a morphism of schemes locally of finite type over $S$. Let $u_0 \in U$ be a finite type point. The following are equivalent \begin{enumerate} \item $f$ is smooth at $u_0$, \item $f$ viewed as an object of $(\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ over $U$ is versal at $u_0$. \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This is a restatement of More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-lifting-along-artinian-at-point}. \end{proof} \noindent It turns out that this notion is well behaved with respect to field extensions. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-versal-change-of-field} Let $S$, $\mathcal{X}$, $U$, $x$, $u_0$ be as in Definition \ref{definition-versal}. Let $l$ be a field and let $u_{l, 0} : \Spec(l) \to U$ be a morphism with image $u_0$ such that $l/k = \kappa(u_0)$ is finite. Set $x_{l, 0} = x_0|_{\Spec(l)}$. If $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS) and $x$ is versal at $u_0$, then $$\mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, l, u_{l, 0}} \longrightarrow \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$$ is smooth. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Note that $(\Sch/U)_{fppf}$ satisfies (RS) by Lemma \ref{lemma-algebraic-stack-RS}. Hence the functor of the lemma is the functor $$(\mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, k , u_0})_{l/k} \longrightarrow (\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k , x_0})_{l/k}$$ associated to $\hat x$, see Lemma \ref{lemma-change-of-field}. Hence the lemma follows from Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-change-of-fields-smooth}. \end{proof} \noindent The following lemma is another sanity check. It more or less signifies that if $x$ is versal at $u_0$ as in Definition \ref{definition-versal}, then $x$ viewed as a morphism from $U$ to $\mathcal{X}$ is smooth whenever we make a base change by a scheme. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-base-change-versal} Let $S$, $\mathcal{X}$, $U$, $x$, $u_0$ be as in Definition \ref{definition-versal}. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ is limit preserving, and \item $\mathcal{X}$ has (RS). \end{enumerate} Let $V$ be a scheme locally of finite type over $S$ and let $y$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $V$. Form the $2$-fibre product $$\xymatrix{ \mathcal{Z} \ar[r] \ar[d] & (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \ar[d]^x \\ (\Sch/V)_{fppf} \ar[r]^y & \mathcal{X} }$$ Let $Z$ be the algebraic space representing $\mathcal{W}$ and let $z_0 \in |Z|$ be a finite type point lying over $u_0$. If $x$ is versal at $u_0$, then the morphism $Z \to V$ is smooth at $z_0$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Observe that $Z$ exists by Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-representable-diagonal}. By Lemma \ref{lemma-diagonal} we see that $Z \to V \times_S U$ is locally of finite type. Choose a scheme $W$, a closed point $w_0 \in W$, and an \'etale morphism $W \to Z$ mapping $w_0$ to $z_0$, see Morphisms of Spaces, Definition \ref{spaces-morphisms-definition-finite-type-point}. Then $W$ is locally of finite type over $S$ and $w_0$ is a finite type point of $W$. Let $l = \kappa(z_0)$. Denote $z_{l, 0}$, $v_{l, 0}$, $u_{l, 0}$, and $x_{l, 0}$ the objects of $\mathcal{Z}$, $(\Sch/V)_{fppf}$, $(\Sch/U)_{fppf}$, and $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(l)$ obtained by pullback to $\Spec(l) = w_0$. Consider $$\xymatrix{ \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/W)_{fppf}, l, w_0} \ar[r] & \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Z}, l, z_{l, 0}} \ar[d] \ar[r] & \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, l, u_{l, 0}} \ar[d] \\ & \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/V)_{fppf}, l, v_{l, 0}} \ar[r] & \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}} }$$ By Lemma \ref{lemma-fibre-product-deformation-categories} the square is a fibre product of predeformation categories. By Lemma \ref{lemma-versal-change-of-field} we see that the right vertical arrow is smooth. By Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-smooth-properties} the left vertical arrow is smooth. By Lemma \ref{lemma-formally-smooth-on-deformation-categories} we see that the left horizontal arrow is smooth. We conclude that the map $$\mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/W)_{fppf}, l, w_0} \to \mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/V)_{fppf}, l, v_{l, 0}}$$ is smooth by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-smooth-properties}. Thus we conclude that $W \to V$ is smooth at $w_0$ by More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-lifting-along-artinian-at-point}. This exactly means that $Z \to V$ is smooth at $z_0$ and the proof is complete. \end{proof} \noindent We restate the approximation result in terms of versal objects. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-approximate-versal} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $\xi = (R, \xi_n, f_n)$ be a formal object of $\mathcal{X}$ with $\xi_1$ lying over $\Spec(k) \to S$ with image $s \in S$. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\xi$ is versal, \item $\xi$ is effective, \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring, and \item $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects. \end{enumerate} Then there exist a morphism of finite type $U \to S$, a finite type point $u_0 \in U$ with residue field $k$, and an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$ such that $x$ is versal at $u_0$ and such that $x|_{\Spec(k)} \cong \xi_1$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Choose an object $x_R$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(R)$ whose associated formal object is $\xi$. Let $N = 2$ and apply Lemma \ref{lemma-approximate}. We obtain $A, \mathfrak m_A, x_A, \ldots$. Let $\eta = (A^\wedge, \eta_n, g_n)$ be the formal object associated to $x_A|_{\Spec(A^\wedge)}$. We have a diagram $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & \eta \ar[d] \\ \xi \ar[r] \ar@{..>}[ru] & \xi_2 = \eta_2 } } \quad\text{lying over}\quad \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & A^\wedge \ar[d] \\ R \ar[r] \ar@{..>}[ru] & R/\mathfrak m_R^2 = A/\mathfrak m_A^2 } }$$ The versality of $\xi$ means exactly that we can find the dotted arrows in the diagrams, because we can successively find morphisms $\xi \to \eta_3$, $\xi \to \eta_4$, and so on by Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-versal-object}. The corresponding ring map $R \to A^\wedge$ is surjective by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-surjective-cotangent-space}. On the other hand, we have $\dim_k \mathfrak m_R^n/\mathfrak m_R^{n + 1} = \dim_k \mathfrak m_A^n/\mathfrak m_A^{n + 1}$ for all $n$ by construction. Hence $R/\mathfrak m_R^n$ and $A/\mathfrak m_A^n$ have the same (finite) length as $\Lambda$-modules by additivity of length and Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-length}. It follows that $R/\mathfrak m_R^n \to A/\mathfrak m_A^n$ is an isomorphism for all $n$, hence $R \to A^\wedge$ is an isomorphism. Thus $\eta$ is isomorphic to a versal object, hence versal itself. By Lemma \ref{lemma-versality-matches} we conclude that $x_A$ is versal at the point $u_0$ of $U = \Spec(A)$ corresponding to $\mathfrak m_A$. \end{proof} \begin{example} \label{example-approximate-versal-implies} In this example we show that the local ring $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ has to be a G-ring in order for the result of Lemma \ref{lemma-approximate-versal} to be true. Namely, let $\Lambda$ be a Noetherian ring and let $\mathfrak m$ be a maximal ideal of $\Lambda$. Set $R = \Lambda_\mathfrak m^\wedge$. Let $\Lambda \to C \to R$ be a factorization with $C$ of finite type over $\Lambda$. Set $S = \Spec(\Lambda)$, $U = S \setminus \{\mathfrak m\}$, and $S' = U \amalg \Spec(C)$. Consider the functor $F : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$ defined by the rule $$F(T) = \left\{ \begin{matrix} * & \text{if }T \to S\text{ factors through }S' \\ \emptyset & \text{else} \end{matrix} \right.$$ Let $\mathcal{X} = \mathcal{S}_F$ is the category fibred in sets associated to $F$, see Algebraic Stacks, Section \ref{algebraic-section-split}. Then $\mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects and there exists an effective, versal formal object $\xi$ over $R$. Hence if the conclusion of Lemma \ref{lemma-approximate-versal} holds for $\mathcal{X}$, then there exists a finite type ring map $\Lambda \to A$ and a maximal ideal $\mathfrak m_A$ lying over $\mathfrak m$ such that \begin{enumerate} \item $\kappa(\mathfrak m) = \kappa(\mathfrak m_A)$, \item $\Lambda \to A$ and $\mathfrak m_A$ satisfy condition (4) of Algebra, Lemma \ref{algebra-lemma-smooth-test-artinian}, and \item there exists a $\Lambda$-algebra map $C \to A$. \end{enumerate} Thus $\Lambda \to A$ is smooth at $\mathfrak m_A$ by the lemma cited. Slicing $A$ we may assume that $\Lambda \to A$ is \'etale at $\mathfrak m_A$, see for example More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-slice-smooth} or argue directly. Write $C = \Lambda[y_1, \ldots, y_n]/(f_1, \ldots, f_m)$. Then $C \to R$ corresponds to a solution in $R$ of the system of equations $f_1 = \ldots = f_m = 0$, see Smoothing Ring Maps, Section \ref{smoothing-section-approximation-G-rings}. Thus if the conclusion of Lemma \ref{lemma-approximate-versal} holds for every $\mathcal{X}$ as above, then a system of equations which has a solution in $R$ has a solution in the henselization of $\Lambda_{\mathfrak m}$. In other words, the approximation property holds for $\Lambda_{\mathfrak m}^h$. This implies that $\Lambda_{\mathfrak m}^h$ is a G-ring (insert future reference here; see also discussion in Smoothing Ring Maps, Section \ref{smoothing-section-introduction}) which in turn implies that $\Lambda_{\mathfrak m}$ is a G-ring. \end{example} \section{Openness of versality} \label{section-openness-versality} \noindent Next, we come to openness of versality. \begin{definition} \label{definition-openness-versality} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. \begin{enumerate} \item Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We say $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies {\it openness of versality} if given a scheme $U$ locally of finite type over $S$, an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$, and a finite type point $u_0 \in U$ such that $x$ is versal at $u_0$, then there exists an open neighbourhood $u_0 \in U' \subset U$ such that $x$ is versal at every finite type point of $U'$. \item Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We say $f$ satisfies {\it openness of versality} if given a scheme $U$ locally of finite type over $S$, an object $y$ of $\mathcal{Y}$ over $U$, openness of versality holds for $(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{X}$. \end{enumerate} \end{definition} \noindent Openness of versality is often the hardest to check. The following example shows that requiring this is necessary however. \begin{example} \label{example-versality} Let $k$ be a field and set $\Lambda = k[s, t]$. Consider the functor $F : \Lambda\text{-algebras} \longrightarrow \textit{Sets}$ defined by the rule $$F(A) = \left\{ \begin{matrix} * & \text{if there exist }f_1, \ldots, f_n \in A\text{ such that } \\ & A = (s, t, f_1, \ldots, f_n)\text{ and } f_i s = 0\ \forall i \\ \emptyset & \text{else} \end{matrix} \right.$$ Geometrically $F(A) = *$ means there exists a quasi-compact open neighbourhood $W$ of $V(s, t) \subset \Spec(A)$ such that $s|_W = 0$. Let $\mathcal{X} \subset (\Sch/\Spec(\Lambda))_{fppf}$ be the full subcategory consisting of schemes $T$ which have an affine open covering $T = \bigcup \Spec(A_j)$ with $F(A_j) = *$ for all $j$. Then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies [0], [1], [2], [3], and [4] but not [5]. Namely, over $U = \Spec(k[s, t]/(s))$ there exists an object $x$ which is versal at $u_0 = (s, t)$ but not at any other point. Details omitted. \end{example} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Consider the following property \begin{equation} \label{equation-smooth} \begin{matrix} \text{for all fields }k\text{ of finite type over }S \text{ and all }x_0 \in \Ob(\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)})\text{ the}\\ \text{map } \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} \to \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{Y}, k, f(x_0)} \text{ of predeformation categories is smooth} \end{matrix} \end{equation} We formulate some lemmas around this concept. First we link it with (openness of) versality. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-versal-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $U$ be a scheme locally of finite type over $S$. Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$. Assume that $x$ is versal at every finite type point of $U$ and that $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS). Then $x : (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}). \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Let $\Spec(l) \to U$ be a morphism with $l$ of finite type over $S$. Then the image $u_0 \in U$ is a finite type point of $U$ and $\kappa(u_0) \subset l$ is a finite extension, see discussion in Morphisms, Section \ref{morphisms-section-points-finite-type}. Hence we see that $\mathcal{F}_{(\Sch/U)_{fppf}, l, u_{l, 0}} \to \mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, l, x_{l, 0}}$ is smooth by Lemma \ref{lemma-versal-change-of-field}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-composition-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $g : \mathcal{Y} \to \mathcal{Z}$ be composable $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If $f$ and $g$ satisfy (\ref{equation-smooth}) so does $g \circ f$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This follows formally from Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-smooth-properties}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-base-change-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $\mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If $f$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}) so does the projection $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Z}$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Follows immediately from Lemma \ref{lemma-fibre-product-deformation-categories} and Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-smooth-properties}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-smooth-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If $f$ is formally smooth on objects, then $f$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}). If $f$ is representable by algebraic spaces and smooth, then $f$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}). \end{lemma} \begin{proof} A reformulation of Lemma \ref{lemma-formally-smooth-on-deformation-categories}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-implies-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $f$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $f$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}), \item $\mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving on objects, and \item $\mathcal{Y}$ is limit preserving. \end{enumerate} Then $f$ is smooth. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} The key ingredient of the proof is More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-lifting-along-artinian-at-point} which (almost) says that a morphism of schemes of finite type over $S$ satisfying (\ref{equation-smooth}) is a smooth morphism. The other arguments of the proof are essentially bookkeeping. \medskip\noindent Let $V$ be a scheme over $S$ and let $y$ be an object of $\mathcal{Y}$ over $V$. Let $Z$ be an algebraic space representing the $2$-fibre product $\mathcal{Z} = \mathcal{X} \times_{f, \mathcal{X}, y} (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$. We have to show that the projection morphism $Z \to V$ is smooth, see Algebraic Stacks, Definition \ref{algebraic-definition-relative-representable-property}. In fact, it suffices to do this when $V$ is an affine scheme locally of finite presentation over $S$, see Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-property-limit-preserving}. Then $(\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ is limit preserving by Lemma \ref{lemma-limit-preserving-algebraic-space}. Hence $Z \to S$ is locally of finite presentation by Lemmas \ref{lemma-fibre-product-limit-preserving} and \ref{lemma-limit-preserving-algebraic-space}. Choose a scheme $W$ and a surjective \'etale morphism $W \to Z$. Then $W$ is locally of finite presentation over $S$. \medskip\noindent Since $f$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}) we see that so does $\mathcal{Z} \to (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$, see Lemma \ref{lemma-base-change-smooth}. Next, we see that $(\Sch/W)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{Z}$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}) by Lemma \ref{lemma-smooth-smooth}. Thus the composition $$(\Sch/W)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{Z} \to (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}) by Lemma \ref{lemma-composition-smooth}. More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-lifting-along-artinian-at-point} shows that the composition $W \to Z \to V$ is smooth at every finite type point $w_0$ of $W$. Since the smooth locus is open we conclude that $W \to V$ is a smooth morphism of schemes by Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-enough-finite-type-points}. Thus we conclude that $Z \to V$ is a smooth morphism of algebraic spaces by definition. \end{proof} \noindent The lemma below is how we will use openness of versality. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-get-smooth} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Let $k$ be a finite type field over $S$ and let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(k)$ with image $s \in S$. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies axioms [1], [2], [3] (see Section \ref{section-axioms}), \item every formal object of $\mathcal{X}$ is effective, \item openness of versality holds for $\mathcal{X}$, and \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring. \end{enumerate} Then there exist a morphism of finite type $U \to S$ and an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$ such that $$x : (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X}$$ is smooth and such that there exists a finite type point $u_0 \in U$ whose residue field is $k$ and such that $x|_{u_0} \cong x_0$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} By axiom [2], Lemma \ref{lemma-deformation-category}, and Remark \ref{remark-deformation-category-implies} we see that $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ satisfies (S1) and (S2). Since also the tangent space has finite dimension by axiom [3] we deduce from Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-versal-object-existence} that $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ has a versal formal object $\xi$. Assumption (3) says $\xi$ is effective. By axiom [1] and Lemma \ref{lemma-approximate-versal} there exists a morphism of finite type $U \to S$, an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$, and a finite type point $u_0$ of $U$ with residue field $k$ such that $x$ is versal at $u_0$ and such that $x|_{\Spec(k)} \cong x_0$. By openness of versality we may shrink $U$ and assume that $x$ is versal at every finite type point of $U$. We claim that $$x : (\Sch/U)_{fppf} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X}$$ is smooth which proves the lemma. Namely, by Lemma \ref{lemma-versal-smooth} $x$ satisfies (\ref{equation-smooth}) whereupon Lemma \ref{lemma-implies-smooth} finishes the proof. \end{proof} \section{Axioms} \label{section-axioms} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Here are the axioms we will consider on $\mathcal{X}$. \begin{enumerate} \item[{[-1]}] a set theoretic condition\footnote{The condition is the following: the supremum of all the cardinalities $|\Ob(\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)})/\cong|$ and $|\text{Arrows}(\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)})|$ where $k$ runs over the finite type fields over $S$ is $\leq$ than the size of some object of $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$.} to be ignored by readers who are not interested in set theoretical issues, \item[{[0]}] $\mathcal{X}$ is a stack in groupoids for the \'etale topology, \item[{[1]}] $\mathcal{X}$ is limit preserving, \item[{[2]}] $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies the Rim-Schlessinger condition (RS), \item[{[3]}] the spaces $T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$ and $\text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0})$ are finite dimensional for every $k$ and $x_0$, see (\ref{equation-tangent-space}) and (\ref{equation-infinitesimal-automorphisms}), \item[{[4]}] the functor (\ref{equation-approximation}) is an equivalence, \item[{[5]}] $\mathcal{X}$ and $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ satisfy openness of versality. \end{enumerate} \section{Axioms for functors} \label{section-axioms-functors} \noindent Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $F : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$ be a functor. Denote $\mathcal{X} = \mathcal{S}_F$ the category fibred in sets associated to $F$, see Algebraic Stacks, Section \ref{algebraic-section-split}. In this section we provide a translation between the material above as it applies to $\mathcal{X}$, to statements about $F$. \medskip\noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $F : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$ be a functor. Let $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$. Let $x_0 \in F(\Spec(k))$. The associated predeformation category (\ref{equation-predeformation-category}) corresponds to the functor $$F_{k, x_0} : \mathcal{C}_\Lambda \longrightarrow \textit{Sets}, \quad A \longmapsto \{x \in F(\Spec(A)) \mid x|_{\Spec(k)} = x_0 \}.$$ Recall that we do not distinguish between categories cofibred in sets over $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda$ and functor $\mathcal{C}_\Lambda \to \textit{Sets}$, see Formal Deformation Theory, Remarks \ref{formal-defos-remarks-cofibered-groupoids} (\ref{formal-defos-item-convention-cofibered-sets}). Given a transformation of functors $a : F \to G$, setting $y_0 = a(x_0)$ we obtain a morphism $$F_{k, x_0} \longrightarrow G_{k, y_0}$$ see (\ref{equation-functoriality}). Lemma \ref{lemma-formally-smooth-on-deformation-categories} tells us that if $a : F \to G$ is formally smooth (in the sense of More on Morphisms of Spaces, Definition \ref{spaces-more-morphisms-definition-formally-smooth-etale-unramified}), then $F_{k, x_0} \longrightarrow G_{k, y_0}$ is smooth as in Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-compare-smooth-schlessinger}. \medskip\noindent Lemma \ref{lemma-pushout} says that if $Y' = Y \amalg_X X'$ in the category of schemes over $S$ where $X \to X'$ is a thickening and $X \to Y$ is affine, then the map $$F(Y \amalg_X X') \to F(Y) \times_{F(X)} F(X')$$ is a bijection, provided that $F$ is an algebraic space. We say a general functor $F$ satisfies the {\it Rim-Schlessinger condition} or we say $F$ {\it satisfies (RS)} if given any pushout $Y' = Y \amalg_X X'$ where $Y, X, X'$ are spectra of Artinian local rings of finite type over $S$, then $$F(Y \amalg_X X') \to F(Y) \times_{F(X)} F(X')$$ is a bijection. Thus every algebraic space satisfies (RS). \medskip\noindent Lemma \ref{lemma-deformation-category} says that given a functor $F$ which satisfies (RS), then all $F_{k, x_0}$ are deformation functors as in Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-deformation-category}, i.e., they satisfy (RS) as in Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-compare-schlessinger-H4}. In particular the tangent space $$TF_{k, x_0} = \{x \in F(\Spec(k[\epsilon])) \mid x|_{\Spec(k)} = x_0\}$$ has the structure of a $k$-vector space by Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-tangent-space-vector-space}. \medskip\noindent Lemma \ref{lemma-finite-dimension} says that an algebraic space $F$ locally of finite type over $S$ gives rise to deformation functors $F_{k, x_0}$ with finite dimensional tangent spaces $TF_{k, x_0}$. \medskip\noindent A {\it formal object}\footnote{This is what Artin calls a formal deformation.} $\xi = (R, \xi_n)$ of $F$ consists of a Noetherian complete local $S$-algebra $R$ whose residue field is of finite type over $S$, together with elements $\xi_n \in F(\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n))$ such that $\xi_{n + 1}|_{\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)} = \xi_n$. A formal object $\xi$ defines a formal object $\xi$ of $F_{R/\mathfrak m, \xi_1}$. We say $\xi$ is {\it versal} if and only if it is versal in the sense of Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-versal}. A formal object $\xi = (R, \xi_n)$ is called {\it effective} if there exists an $x \in F(\Spec(R))$ such that $\xi_n = x|_{\Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n)}$ for all $n \geq 1$. Lemma \ref{lemma-effective} says that if $F$ is an algebraic space, then every formal object is effective. \medskip\noindent Let $U$ be a scheme locally of finite type over $S$ and let $x \in F(U)$. Let $u_0 \in U$ be a finite type point. We say that $x$ is versal at $u_0$ if and only if $\xi = (\mathcal{O}_{U, u_0}^\wedge, x|_{\Spec(\mathcal{O}_{U, u_0}/\mathfrak m_{u_0}^n)})$ is a versal formal object in the sense described above. \medskip\noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $F : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \Sch$ be a functor. Here are the axioms we will consider on $F$. \begin{enumerate} \item[{[-1]}] a set theoretic condition\footnote{The condition is the following: the supremum of all the cardinalities $|F(\Spec(k))|$ where $k$ runs over the finite type fields over $S$ is $\leq$ than the size of some object of $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$.} to be ignored by readers who are not interested in set theoretical issues, \item[{[0]}] $F$ is a sheaf for the \'etale topology, \item[{[1]}] $F$ is limit preserving, \item[{[2]}] $F$ satisfies the Rim-Schlessinger condition (RS), \item[{[3]}] every tangent space $TF_{k, x_0}$ is finite dimensional, \item[{[4]}] every formal object is effective, \item[{[5]}] $F$ satisfies openness of versality. \end{enumerate} Here {\it limit preserving} is the notion defined in Limits of Spaces, Definition \ref{spaces-limits-definition-locally-finite-presentation} and {\it openness of versality} means the following: Given a scheme $U$ locally of finite type over $S$, given $x \in F(U)$, and given a finite type point $u_0 \in U$ such that $x$ is versal at $u_0$, then there exists an open neighbourhood $u_0 \in U' \subset U$ such that $x$ is versal at every finite type point of $U'$. \section{Algebraic spaces} \label{section-algebraic-spaces} \noindent The following is our first main result on algebraic spaces. \begin{proposition} \label{proposition-spaces-diagonal-representable} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $F : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$ be a functor. Assume that \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta : F \to F \times F$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $F$ satisfies axioms [-1], [0], [1], [2], [3], [4], [5] (see Section \ref{section-axioms-functors}), and \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring for all finite type points $s$ of $S$. \end{enumerate} Then $F$ is an algebraic space. \end{proposition} \begin{proof} Lemma \ref{lemma-get-smooth} applies to $F$. Using this we choose, for every finite type field $k$ over $S$ and $x_0 \in F(\Spec(k))$, an affine scheme $U_{k, x_0}$ of finite type over $S$ and a smooth morphism $U_{k, x_0} \to F$ such that there exists a finite type point $u_{k, x_0} \in U_{k, x_0}$ with residue field $k$ such that $x_0$ is the image of $u_{k, x_0}$. Then $$U = \coprod\nolimits_{k, x_0} U_{k, x_0} \longrightarrow F$$ is smooth\footnote{Set theoretical remark: This coproduct is (isomorphic) to an object of $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ as we have a bound on the index set by axiom [-1], see Sets, Lemma \ref{sets-lemma-what-is-in-it}.}. To finish the proof it suffices to show this map is surjective, see Bootstrap, Lemma \ref{bootstrap-lemma-spaces-etale-smooth-cover} (this is where we use axiom [0]). By Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-property-limit-preserving} it suffices to show that $U \times_F V \to V$ is surjective for those $V \to F$ where $V$ is an affine scheme locally of finite presentation over $S$. Since $U \times_F V \to V$ is smooth the image is open. Hence it suffices to show that the image of $U \times_F V \to V$ contains all finite type points of $V$, see Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-enough-finite-type-points}. Let $v_0 \in V$ be a finite type point. Then $k = \kappa(v_0)$ is a finite type field over $S$. Denote $x_0$ the composition $\Spec(k) \xrightarrow{v_0} V \to F$. Then $(u_{k, x_0}, v_0) : \Spec(k) \to U \times_F V$ is a point mapping to $v_0$ and we win. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-monomorphism} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $a : F \to G$ be a transformation of functors $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$. Assume that \begin{enumerate} \item $a$ is injective, \item $F$ satisfies axioms [0], [1], [2], [4], and [5], \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring for all finite type points $s$ of $S$, \item $G$ is an algebraic space locally of finite type over $S$, \end{enumerate} Then $F$ is an algebraic space. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} By Lemma \ref{lemma-finite-dimension} the functor $G$ satisfies [3]. As $F \to G$ is injective, we conclude that $F$ also satisfies [3]. Moreover, as $F \to G$ is injective, we see that given schemes $U$, $V$ and morphisms $U \to F$ and $V \to F$, then $U \times_F V = U \times_G V$. Hence $\Delta : F \to F \times F$ is representable (by schemes) as this holds for $G$ by assumption. Thus Proposition \ref{proposition-spaces-diagonal-representable} applies\footnote{The set theoretic condition [-1] holds for $F$ as it holds for $G$. Details omitted.}. \end{proof} \section{Algebraic stacks} \label{section-algebraic-stacks} \noindent Proposition \ref{proposition-second-diagonal-representable} is our first main result on algebraic stacks. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-diagonal-representable} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Assume that \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies axioms [-1], [0], [1], [2], [3] (see Section \ref{section-axioms}), \item every formal object of $\mathcal{X}$ is effective, \item $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies openness of versality, and \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring for all finite type points $s$ of $S$. \end{enumerate} Then $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Lemma \ref{lemma-get-smooth} applies to $\mathcal{X}$. Using this we choose, for every finite type field $k$ over $S$ and every isomorphism class of object $x_0 \in \Ob(\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(k)})$, an affine scheme $U_{k, x_0}$ of finite type over $S$ and a smooth morphism $(\Sch/U_{k, x_0})_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}$ such that there exists a finite type point $u_{k, x_0} \in U_{k, x_0}$ with residue field $k$ such that $x_0$ is the image of $u_{k, x_0}$. Then $$(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}, \quad\text{with}\quad U = \coprod\nolimits_{k, x_0} U_{k, x_0}$$ is smooth\footnote{Set theoretical remark: This coproduct is (isomorphic to) an object of $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ as we have a bound on the index set by axiom [-1], see Sets, Lemma \ref{sets-lemma-what-is-in-it}.}. To finish the proof it suffices to show this map is surjective, see Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-stacks-etale} (this is where we use axiom [0]). By Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-property-limit-preserving} it suffices to show that $(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \times_\mathcal{X} (\Sch/V)_{fppf} \to (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ is surjective for those $y : (\Sch/V)_{fppf} \to \mathcal{X}$ where $V$ is an affine scheme locally of finite presentation over $S$. By assumption (1) the fibre product $(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \times_\mathcal{X} (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ is representable by an algebraic space $W$. Then $W \to V$ is smooth, hence the image is open. Hence it suffices to show that the image of $W \to V$ contains all finite type points of $V$, see Morphisms, Lemma \ref{morphisms-lemma-enough-finite-type-points}. Let $v_0 \in V$ be a finite type point. Then $k = \kappa(v_0)$ is a finite type field over $S$. Denote $x_0 = y|_{\Spec(k)}$ the pullback of $y$ by $v_0$. Then $(u_{k, x_0}, v_0)$ will give a morphism $\Spec(k) \to W$ whose composition with $W \to V$ is $v_0$ and we win. \end{proof} \begin{proposition} \label{proposition-second-diagonal-representable} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp}$ be a category fibred in groupoids. Assume that \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta_\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}} \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies axioms [-1], [0], [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5] (see Section \ref{section-axioms}), \item $\mathcal{O}_{S, s}$ is a G-ring for all finite type points $s$ of $S$. \end{enumerate} Then $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack. \end{proposition} \begin{proof} We first prove that $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces. To do this it suffices to show that $$\mathcal{Y} = \mathcal{X} \times_{\Delta, \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}, y} (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$$ is representable by an algebraic space for any affine scheme $V$ locally of finite presentation over $S$ and object $y$ of $\mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ over $V$, see Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-representable-limit-preserving}\footnote{The set theoretic condition in Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-check-representable-limit-preserving} will hold: the size of the algebraic space $Y$ representing $\mathcal{Y}$ is suitably bounded. Namely, $Y \to S$ will be locally of finite type and $Y$ will satisfy axiom [-1]. Details omitted.}. Observe that $\mathcal{Y}$ is fibred in setoids (Stacks, Lemma \ref{stacks-lemma-isom-as-2-fibre-product}) and let $Y : (\Sch/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$, $T \mapsto \Ob(\mathcal{Y}_T)/\cong$ be the functor of isomorphism classes. We will apply Proposition \ref{proposition-spaces-diagonal-representable} to see that $Y$ is an algebraic space. \medskip\noindent Note that $\Delta_\mathcal{Y} : \mathcal{Y} \to \mathcal{Y} \times \mathcal{Y}$ (and hence also $Y \to Y \times Y$) is representable by algebraic spaces by condition (1) and Criteria for Representability, Lemma \ref{criteria-lemma-second-diagonal}. Observe that $Y$ is a sheaf for the \'etale topology by Stacks, Lemmas \ref{stacks-lemma-stack-in-setoids-characterize} and \ref{stacks-lemma-2-fibre-product-gives-stack-in-setoids}, i.e., axiom [0] holds. Also $Y$ is limit preserving by Lemma \ref{lemma-fibre-product-limit-preserving}, i.e., we have [1]. Note that $Y$ has (RS), i.e., axiom [2] holds, by Lemmas \ref{lemma-algebraic-stack-RS} and \ref{lemma-fibre-product-RS}. Axiom [3] for $Y$ follows from Lemmas \ref{lemma-finite-dimension} and \ref{lemma-fibre-product-tangent-spaces}. Axiom [4] follows from Lemmas \ref{lemma-effective} and \ref{lemma-fibre-product-effective}. Axiom [5] for $Y$ follows directly from openness of versality for $\Delta_\mathcal{X}$ which is part of axiom [5] for $\mathcal{X}$. Thus all the assumptions of Proposition \ref{proposition-spaces-diagonal-representable} are satisfied and $Y$ is an algebraic space. \medskip\noindent At this point it follows from Lemma \ref{lemma-diagonal-representable} that $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack. \end{proof} \section{Strong Rim-Schlessinger} \label{section-RS-star} \noindent In the rest of this chapter the following strictly stronger version of the Rim-Schlessinger conditions will play an important role. \begin{definition} \label{definition-RS-star} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We say $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies {\it condition (RS*)} if given an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$ and a fibre product diagram $$\xymatrix{ B' \ar[r] & B \\ A' = A \times_B B' \ar[u] \ar[r] & A \ar[u] }$$ of $\Lambda$-algebras, with $B' \to B$ surjective with square zero kernel, the functor of fibre categories $$\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(A')} \longrightarrow \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(A)} \times_{\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(B)}} \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(B')}$$ is an equivalence of categories. \end{definition} \noindent We make some observations: with $A \to B \leftarrow B'$ as in Definition \ref{definition-RS-star} \begin{enumerate} \item if $A$, $B$, $B'$ are of finite type over $\Lambda$ and $B$ is finite over $A$, then $A'$ is of finite type over $\Lambda$, see More on Algebra, Lemma \ref{more-algebra-lemma-fibre-product-finite-type}, \item we have $\Spec(A') = \Spec(A) \amalg_{\Spec(B)} \Spec(B')$ in the category of schemes, see More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-pushout-along-thickening}, \item if $\mathcal{X}$ is an algebraic stack, then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS*) by Lemma \ref{lemma-pushout}, and \item if $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS*), then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS) because (RS) covers exactly those cases of (RS*) where $A$, $B$, $B'$ are Artinian local. \end{enumerate} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-algebraic-stack-RS-star} Let $\mathcal{X}$ be an algebraic stack over a locally Noetherian base $S$. Then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies (RS*). \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Immediate from the definitions, the remarks following Definition \ref{definition-RS-star}, and Lemma \ref{lemma-pushout}. \end{proof} \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-fibre-product-RS-star} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $p : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ and $q : \mathcal{Z} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. If $\mathcal{X}$, $\mathcal{Y}$, and $\mathcal{Z}$ satisfy (RS*), then so does $\mathcal{X} \times_\mathcal{Y} \mathcal{Z}$. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} The proof is exactly the same as the proof of Lemma \ref{lemma-fibre-product-RS}. \end{proof} \section{Strong formal effectiveness} \label{section-strong-formal-effectiveness} \noindent In this section we demonstrate how a strong version of effectiveness of formal objects implies openness of versality. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-infinite-sequence} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$ having (RS*). Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over an affine scheme $U$ of finite type over $S$. Let $u_n \in U$, $n \geq 1$ be pairwise distinct finite type points such that $x$ is not versal at $u_n$ for all $n$. After replacing $u_n$ by a subsequence, there exist morphisms $$x \to x_1 \to x_2 \to \ldots \quad\text{in }\mathcal{X}\text{ lying over }\quad U \to U_1 \to U_2 \to \ldots$$ over $S$ such that \begin{enumerate} \item for each $n$ the morphism $U \to U_n$ is a first order thickening, \item for each $n$ we have a short exact sequence $$0 \to \kappa(u_n) \to \mathcal{O}_{U_n} \to \mathcal{O}_{U_{n - 1}} \to 0$$ with $U_0 = U$ for $n = 1$, \item for each $n$ there does {\bf not} exist a pair $(W, \alpha)$ consisting of an open neighbourhood $W \subset U_n$ of $u_n$ and a morphism $\alpha : x_n|_W \to x$ such that the composition $$x|_{U \cap W} \xrightarrow{\text{restriction of }x \to x_n} x_n|_W \xrightarrow{\alpha} x$$ is the canonical morphism $x|_{U \cap W} \to x$. \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} After replacing $u_n$, $n \geq 1$ by a subsequence we may and do assume that there are no specializations among these points, see Properties, Lemma \ref{properties-lemma-thin-infinite-sequence}. In particular, for every $n$ we can find an open $U' \subset U$ such that $u_n \in U'$ and $u_i \not \in U'$ for $i = 1, \ldots, n - 1$. This means that the problem of constructing our system decomposes into a separate problem for each $n$. More precisely, suppose that for each $n \geq 1$ we can find $$x \to y_n \quad\text{in }\mathcal{X}\text{ lying over}\quad U \to T_n$$ such that \begin{enumerate} \item the morphism $U \to T_n$ is a first order thickening, \item we have a short exact sequence $$0 \to \kappa(u_n) \to \mathcal{O}_{T_n} \to \mathcal{O}_U \to 0$$ \item for each $n$ there does {\bf not} exist a pair $(W, \alpha)$ consisting of an open neighbourhood $W \subset T_n$ of $u_n$ and a morphism $\beta : y_n|_W \to x$ such that the composition $$x|_{U \cap W} \xrightarrow{\text{restriction of }x \to y_n} y_n|_W \xrightarrow{\beta} x$$ is the canonical morphism $x|_{U \cap W} \to x$. \end{enumerate} Then we can define inductively $$U_1 = T_1, \quad U_{n + 1} = U_n \amalg_U T_{n + 1}$$ Setting $x_1 = y_1$ and using (RS*) we find inductively $x_{n + 1}$ over $U_{n + 1}$ restricting to $x_n$ over $U_n$ and $y_{n + 1}$ over $T_{n + 1}$. Property (1) for $U \to U_n$ follows from the construction of the pushout in More on Morphisms, Lemma \ref{more-morphisms-lemma-pushout-along-closed-immersions}. Property (2) for $U_n$ similarly follows from property (2) for $T_n$ by the construction of the pushout. After shrinking to an open neighbourhood $U'$ of $u_n$ as discussed above, property (3) for $(U_n, x_n)$ follows from property (3) for $(T_n, y_n)$ simply because the corresponding open subschemes of $T_n$ and $U_n$ are isomorphic. Details omitted. \medskip\noindent This reduces us to the following: suppose given a single finite type point $u \in U$ such that $x$ is not versal at $u$, we need to construct a morphism $x \to y$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $U \to T$ satisfying properties (1), (2), and (3) formulated above. Let $R = \mathcal{O}_{U, u}^\wedge$. Let $k = \kappa(u)$ be the residue field of $R$. Let $\xi$ be the formal object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $R$ associated to $x$. Since $x$ is not versal at $u$, we see that $\xi$ is not versal, see Lemma \ref{lemma-versality-matches}. By the discussion following Definition \ref{definition-versal-formal-object} this means we can find morphisms $\xi_1 \to x_A \to x_B$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over closed immersions $\Spec(k) \to \Spec(A) \to \Spec(B)$ where $A, B$ are Artinian local rings with residue field $k$, an $n \geq 1$ and a commutative diagram $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & x_A \ar[ld] \\ \xi_n & \xi_1 \ar[u] \ar[l] } } \quad\text{lying over}\quad \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & \Spec(A) \ar[ld] \\ \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) & \Spec(k) \ar[u] \ar[l] } }$$ such that there does {\bf not} exist an $m \geq n$ and a commutative diagram $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & & x_B \ar[lldd] \\ & & x_A \ar[ld] \ar[u] \\ \xi_m & \xi_n \ar[l] & \xi_1 \ar[u] \ar[l] } } \quad\text{lying over} \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ & & \Spec(B) \ar[lldd] \\ & & \Spec(A) \ar[ld] \ar[u] \\ \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^m) & \Spec(R/\mathfrak m^n) \ar[l] & \Spec(k) \ar[u] \ar[l] } }$$ We may moreover assume that $B \to A$ is a small extension, i.e., that the kernel $I$ of the surjection $B \to A$ is isomorphic to $k$ as an $A$-module. This follows from Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-versal-object}. Then we simply define $$T = U \amalg_{\Spec(A)} \Spec(B)$$ By property (RS*) we find $y$ over $T$ whose restriction to $\Spec(B)$ is $x_B$ and whose restriction to $U$ is $x$ (this gives the arrow $x \to y$ lying over $U \to T$). To finish the proof we verify conditions (1), (2), and (3). \medskip\noindent By the construction of the pushout we have a commutative diagram $$\xymatrix{ 0 \ar[r] & I \ar[r] & B \ar[r] & A \ar[r] & 0 \\ 0 \ar[r] & I \ar[r] \ar[u] & \Gamma(T, \mathcal{O}_T) \ar[r] \ar[u] & \Gamma(U, \mathcal{O}_U) \ar[r] \ar[u] & 0 }$$ with exact rows. This immediately proves (1) and (2). To finish the proof we will argue by contradiction. Assume we have a pair $(W, \beta)$ as in (3). Since $\Spec(B) \to T$ factors through $W$ we get the morphism $$x_B \to y|_W \xrightarrow{\beta} x$$ Since $B$ is Artinian local with residue field $k = \kappa(u)$ we see that $x_B \to x$ lies over a morphism $\Spec(B) \to U$ which factors through $\Spec(\mathcal{O}_{U, u}/\mathfrak m_u^m)$ for some $m \geq n$. In other words, $x_B \to x$ factors through $\xi_m$ giving a map $x_B \to \xi_m$. The compatibility condition on the morphism $\alpha$ in condition (3) translates into the condition that $$\xymatrix{ x_B \ar[d] & x_A \ar[d] \ar[l] \\ \xi_m & \xi_n \ar[l] }$$ is commutative. This gives the contradiction we were looking for. \end{proof} \begin{remark}[Strong effectiveness] \label{remark-strong-effectiveness} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume we have \begin{enumerate} \item an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$, \item an inverse system $(R_n)$ of $\Lambda$-algebras with surjective transition maps whose kernels are locally nilpotent, \item a system $(\xi_n)$ of objects of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over the system $(\Spec(R_n))$. \end{enumerate} In this situation, set $R = \lim R_n$. We say that $(\xi_n)$ is {\it effective} if there exists an object $\xi$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(R)$ whose restriction to $\Spec(R_n)$ gives the system $(\xi_n)$. \end{remark} \noindent It is not the case that every algebraic stack $\mathcal{X}$ over $S$ satisfies a strong effectiveness axiom of the form: every system $(\xi_n)$ as in Remark \ref{remark-strong-effectiveness} is effective. An example is given in Examples, Section \ref{examples-section-non-formal-effectiveness}. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-SGE-implies-openness-versality} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ has (RS*), \item $\mathcal{X}$ is limit preserving, \item systems $(\xi_n)$ as in Remark \ref{remark-strong-effectiveness} where $\Ker(R_m \to R_n)$ is an ideal of square zero for all $m \geq n$ are effective. \end{enumerate} Then $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies openness of versality. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Choose a scheme $U$ locally of finite type over $S$, a finite type point $u_0$ of $U$, and an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $U$ such that $x$ is versal at $u_0$. After shrinking $U$ we may assume $U$ is affine and $U$ maps into an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda)$ of $S$. If openness of versality does not hold, then we get an infinite sequence of finite type points $u_n$ such that $u_0$ is a limit point of the sequence and such that $x$ is not versal at $u_n$ for $n \geq 1$. After passing to a subsequence we get $x \to x_1 \to x_2 \to \ldots$ lying over $U \to U_1 \to U_2 \to \ldots$ as in Lemma \ref{lemma-infinite-sequence}. Write $U_n = \Spec(R_n)$ and $U = \Spec(R_0)$. Set $R = \lim R_n$. Observe that $R \to R_0$ is surjective with kernel an ideal of square zero. By assumption (4) we get $\xi$ over $\Spec(R)$ whose base change to $R_n$ is $x_n$. By assumption (3) we get that $\xi$ comes from an object $\xi'$ over $U' = \Spec(R')$ for some finite type $\Lambda$-subalgebra $R' \subset R$. After increasing $R'$ we may and do assume that $R' \to R_0$ is surjective, so that $U \subset U'$ is a first order thickening. Thus we now have $$x \to x_1 \to x_2 \to \ldots \to \xi' \text{ lying over } U \to U_1 \to U_2 \to \ldots \to U'$$ By assumption (1) there is an algebraic space $Z$ over $S$ representing $$(\Sch/U)_{fppf} \times_{x, \mathcal{X}, \xi'} (\Sch/U')_{fppf}$$ see Algebraic Stacks, Lemma \ref{algebraic-lemma-representable-diagonal}. By construction of $2$-fibre products, a $T$-valued point of $Z$ corresponds to a triple $(a, a', \alpha)$ consisting of morphisms $a : T \to U$, $a' : T \to U'$ and a morphism $\alpha : a^*x \to (a')^*\xi'$. We obtain a commutative diagram $$\xymatrix{ U \ar[rd] \ar[rdd] \ar[rrd] \\ & Z \ar[r]_{p'} \ar[d]^p & U' \ar[d] \\ & U \ar[r] & S }$$ The morphism $i : U \to Z$ comes the isomorphism $x \to \xi'|_U$. Let $z_0 = i(u_0) \in Z$. By Lemma \ref{lemma-base-change-versal} we see that $Z \to U'$ is smooth at $z_0$. After replacing $U$ by an affine open neighbourhood of $u_0$, replacing $U'$ by the corresponding open, and replacing $W$ by the intersection of the inverse images of these opens by $p$ and $p'$, we reach the situation where $Z \to U'$ is smooth along $i(U)$. Note that this also involves replacing $u_n$ by a subsequence, namely by those indices such that $u_n$ is in the open. Moreover, condition (3) of Lemma \ref{lemma-infinite-sequence} is clearly preserved by shrinking $U$ (all of the schemes $U$, $U_n$, $U'$ have the same underlying topological space). Since $U \to U'$ is a first order thickening of affine schemes, we can choose a morphism $i' : U' \to Z$ such that $p' \circ i' = \text{id}_{U'}$ and whose restriction to $U$ is $i$ (More on Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma \ref{spaces-more-morphisms-lemma-smooth-formally-smooth}). Pulling back the universal morphism $p^*x \to (p')^*\xi'$ by $i'$ we obtain a morphism $$\xi' \to x$$ lying over $p \circ i' : U' \to U$ such that the composition $$x \to \xi' \to x$$ is the identity. Recall that we have $x_1 \to \xi'$ lying over the morphism $U_1 \to U'$. Composing we get a morphism $x_1 \to x$ whose existence contradicts condition (3) of Lemma \ref{lemma-infinite-sequence}. This contradiction finishes the proof. \end{proof} \begin{remark} \label{remark-trade-openness-versality-diagonal-with-strong-effectiveness} There is a way to deduce openness of versality of the diagonal of an category fibred in groupoids from a strong formal effectiveness axiom. Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume \begin{enumerate} \item $\Delta_\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times_{\mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}} \mathcal{X}$ is representable by algebraic spaces, \item $\mathcal{X}$ has (RS*), \item $\mathcal{X}$ is limit preserving, \item given an inverse system $(R_n)$ of $S$-algebras as in Remark \ref{remark-strong-effectiveness} where $\Ker(R_m \to R_n)$ is an ideal of square zero for all $m \geq n$ the functor $$\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(\lim R_n)} \longrightarrow \lim_n \mathcal{X}_{\Spec(R_n)}$$ is fully faithful. \end{enumerate} Then $\Delta : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ satisfies openness of versality. This follows by applying Lemma \ref{lemma-SGE-implies-openness-versality} to fibre products of the form $\mathcal{X} \times_{\Delta, \mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}, y} (\Sch/V)_{fppf}$ for any affine scheme $V$ locally of finite presentation over $S$ and object $y$ of $\mathcal{X} \times \mathcal{X}$ over $V$. If we ever need this, we will change this remark into a lemma and provide a detailed proof. \end{remark} \section{Infinitesimal deformations} \label{section-inf} \noindent In this section we discuss a generalization of the notion of the tangent space introduced in Section \ref{section-tangent-spaces}. To do this intelligently, we borrow some notation from Formal Deformation Theory, Sections \ref{formal-defos-section-tangent-spaces-functors}, \ref{formal-defos-section-lifts}, and \ref{formal-defos-section-infinitesimal-automorphisms}. \medskip\noindent Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Given a homomorphism $A' \to A$ of $S$-algebras and an object $x$ of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(A)$ we write $\textit{Lift}(x, A')$ for the category of lifts of $x$ to $\Spec(A')$. An object of $\textit{Lift}(x, A')$ is a morphism $x \to x'$ of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(A) \to \Spec(A')$ and morphisms of $\textit{Lift}(x, A')$ are defined as commutative diagrams. The set of isomorphism classes of $\textit{Lift}(x, A')$ is denoted $\text{Lift}(x, A')$. See Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-lifts} and Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-omit-arrow}. If $A' \to A$ is surjective with locally nilpotent kernel we call an element $x'$ of $\text{Lift}(x, A')$ a {\it (infinitesimal) deformation} of $x$. In this case the {\it group of infinitesimal automorphisms of $x'$ over $x$} is the kernel $$\text{Inf}(x'/x) = \Ker\left( \text{Aut}_{\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(A')}}(x') \to \text{Aut}_{\mathcal{X}_{\Spec(A)}}(x)\right)$$ Note that an element of $\text{Inf}(x'/x)$ is the same thing as a lift of $\text{id}_x$ over $\Spec(A')$ for (the category fibred in sets associated to) $\mathit{Aut}_\mathcal{X}(x')$. Compare with Formal Deformation Theory, Definition \ref{formal-defos-definition-relative-infinitesimal-auts} and Formal Deformation Theory, Remark \ref{formal-defos-remark-infaut-lifting-equalities}. \medskip\noindent If $M$ is an $A$-module we denote $A[M]$ the $A$-algebra whose underlying $A$-module is $A \oplus M$ and whose multiplication is given by $(a, m) \cdot (a', m') = (aa', am' + a'm)$. When $M = A$ this is the ring of dual numbers over $A$, which we denote $A[\epsilon]$ as is customary. There is an $A$-algebra map $A[M] \to A$. The pullback of $x$ to $\Spec(A[M])$ is called the {\it trivial deformation} of $x$ to $\Spec(A[M])$. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-functoriality} Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $f : \mathcal{X} \to \mathcal{Y}$ be a $1$-morphism of categories fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Let $$\xymatrix{ B' \ar[r] & B \\ A' \ar[u] \ar[r] & A \ar[u] }$$ be a commutative diagram of $S$-algebras. Let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(A)$, let $y$ be an object of $\mathcal{Y}$ over $\Spec(B)$, and let $\phi : f(x)|_{\Spec(B)} \to y$ be a morphism of $\mathcal{Y}$ over $\Spec(B)$. Then there is a canonical functor $$\textit{Lift}(x, A') \longrightarrow \textit{Lift}(y, B')$$ of categories of lifts induced by $f$ and $\phi$. The construction is compatible with compositions of $1$-morphisms of categories fibred in groupoids in an obvious manner. \end{lemma} \begin{proof} This lemma proves itself. \end{proof} \noindent Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian base. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. We define a category whose objects are pairs $(x, A' \to A)$ where \begin{enumerate} \item $A' \to A$ is a surjection of $S$-algebras whose kernel is an ideal of square zero such that $\Spec(A)$ maps into an affine open of $S$, and \item $x$ is an object of $\mathcal{X}$ lying over $\Spec(A)$. \end{enumerate} A morphism $(y, B' \to B) \to (x, A' \to A)$ is given by a commutative diagram $$\xymatrix{ B' \ar[r] & B \\ A' \ar[u] \ar[r] & A \ar[u] }$$ of $S$-algebras together with a morphism $x|_{\Spec(B)} \to y$ over $\Spec(B)$. Let us call this the category of {\it deformation situations}. \begin{lemma} \label{lemma-properties-lift-RS-star} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies condition (RS*). Let $A$ be an $S$-algebra such that $\Spec(A) \to S$ maps into an affine open and let $x$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(A)$. \begin{enumerate} \item There exists an $A$-linear functor $\text{Inf}_x : \text{Mod}_A \to \text{Mod}_A$ such that given a deformation situation $(x, A' \to A)$ and a lift $x'$ there is an isomorphism $\text{Inf}_x(I) \to \text{Inf}(x'/x)$ where $I = \Ker(A' \to A)$. \item There exists an $A$-linear functor $T_x : \text{Mod}_A \to \text{Mod}_A$ such that \begin{enumerate} \item given $M$ in $\text{Mod}_A$ there is a bijection $T_x(M) \to \text{Lift}(x, A[M])$, \item given a deformation situation $(x, A' \to A)$ there is an action $$T_x(I) \times \text{Lift}(x, A') \to \text{Lift}(x, A')$$ where $I = \Ker(A' \to A)$. It is simply transitive if $\text{Lift}(x, A') \not = \emptyset$. \end{enumerate} \end{enumerate} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} We define $\text{Inf}_x$ as the functor $$\text{Mod}_A \longrightarrow \textit{Sets},\quad M \longrightarrow \text{Inf}(x'_M/x) = \text{Lift}(\text{id}_x, A[M])$$ mapping $M$ to the group of infinitesimal automorphisms of the trivial deformation $x'_M$ of $x$ to $\Spec(A[M])$ or equivalently the group of lifts of $\text{id}_x$ in $\mathit{Aut}_\mathcal{X}(x'_M)$. We define $T_x$ as the functor $$\text{Mod}_A \longrightarrow \textit{Sets},\quad M \longrightarrow \text{Lift}(x, A[M])$$ of isomorphism classes of infintesimal deformations of $x$ to $\Spec(A[M])$. We apply Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-linear-functor} to $\text{Inf}_x$ and $T_x$. This lemma is applicable, since (RS*) tells us that $$\textit{Lift}(x, A[M \times N]) = \textit{Lift}(x, A[M]) \times \textit{Lift}(x, A[N])$$ as categories (and trivial deformations match up too). \medskip\noindent Let $(x, A' \to A)$ be a deformation situation. Consider the ring map $g : A' \times_A A' \to A[I]$ defined by the rule $g(a_1, a_2) = \overline{a_1} \oplus a_2 - a_1$. There is an isomorphism $$A' \times_A A' \longrightarrow A' \times_A A[I]$$ given by $(a_1, a_2) \mapsto (a_1, g(a_1, a_2))$. This isomorphism commutes with the projections to $A'$ on the first factor, and hence with the projections to $A$. Thus applying (RS*) twice we find equivalences of categories \begin{align*} \textit{Lift}(x, A') \times \textit{Lift}(x, A') & = \textit{Lift}(x, A' \times_A A') \\ & = \textit{Lift}(x, A' \times_A A[I]) \\ & = \textit{Lift}(x, A') \times \textit{Lift}(x, A[I]) \end{align*} Using these maps and projection onto the last factor of the last product we see that we obtain difference maps'' $$\text{Inf}(x'/x) \times \text{Inf}(x'/x) \longrightarrow \text{Inf}_x(I) \quad\text{and}\quad \text{Lift}(x, A') \times \text{Lift}(x, A') \longrightarrow T_x(I)$$ These difference maps satisfy the transitivity rule $(x'_1 - x'_2) + (x'_2 - x'_3) = x'_1 - x'_3$'' because $$\xymatrix{ A' \times_A A' \times_A A' \ar[rrrrr]_-{(a_1, a_2, a_3) \mapsto (g(a_1, a_2), g(a_2, a_3))} \ar[rrrrrd]_{(a_1, a_2, a_3) \mapsto g(a_1, a_3)} & & & & & A[I] \times_A A[I] = A[I \times I] \ar[d]^{+} \\ & & & & & A[I] }$$ is commutative. Inverting the string of equivalences above we obtain an action which is free and transitive provided $\text{Inf}(x'/x)$, resp.\ $\text{Lift}(x, A')$ is nonempty. Note that $\text{Inf}(x'/x)$ is always nonempty as it is a group. \end{proof} \begin{remark}[Compatibility with previous tangent spaces] \label{remark-compare-deformation-spaces} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume $\mathcal{X}$ has (RS*). Le $k$ be a field of finite type over $S$ and let $x_0$ be an object of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(k)$. Then we have equalities of $k$-vector spaces $$T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0} = T_{x_0}(k) \quad\text{and}\quad \text{Inf}_{x_0}(\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}) = \text{Inf}_{x_0}(k)$$ where the spaces on the left hand side of the equality signs are given in (\ref{equation-tangent-space}) and (\ref{equation-infinitesimal-automorphisms}) and the spaces on the right hand side are given by Lemma \ref{lemma-properties-lift-RS-star}. \end{remark} \begin{remark}[Functoriality] \label{remark-functoriality} Assumptions and notation as in Lemma \ref{lemma-properties-lift-RS-star}. Suppose $A \to B$ is a ring map and $y = x|_{\Spec(B)}$. Let $M \in \text{Mod}_A$, $N \in \text{Mod}_B$ and let $M \to N$ an $A$-linear map. Then there are canonical maps $\text{Inf}_x(M) \to \text{Inf}_y(N)$ and $T_x(M) \to T_y(N)$ simply because there is a pullback functor $$\textit{Lift}(x, A[M]) \to \textit{Lift}(y, B[N])$$ coming from the ring map $A[M] \to B[N]$. Similarly, given a morphism of deformation situations $(y, B' \to B) \to (x, A' \to A)$ we obtain a pullback functor $\textit{Lift}(x, A') \to \textit{Lift}(y, B')$. Since the construction of the action, the addition, and the scalar multiplication on $\text{Inf}_x$ and $T_x$ use only morphisms in the categories of lifts (see proof of Formal Deformation Theory, Lemma \ref{formal-defos-lemma-linear-functor}) we see that the constructions above are functorial. In other words we obtain $A$-linear maps $$\text{Inf}_x(M) \to \text{Inf}_y(N) \quad\text{and}\quad T_x(M) \to T_y(N)$$ such that the diagrams $$\vcenter{ \xymatrix{ \text{Inf}_y(J) \ar[r] & \text{Inf}(y'/y) \\ \text{Inf}_x(I) \ar[r] \ar[u] & \text{Inf}(x'/x) \ar[u] } } \quad\text{and}\quad \vcenter{ \xymatrix{ T_y(J) \times \text{Lift}(y, B') \ar[r] & \text{Lift}(y, B') \\ T_x(I) \times \text{Lift}(x, A') \ar[r] \ar[u] & \text{Lift}(x, A') \ar[u] } }$$ commute. Here $I = \Ker(A' \to A)$, $J = \Ker(B' \to B)$, $x'$ is a lift of $x$ to $A'$ (which may not always exist) and $y' = x'|_{\Spec(B')}$. \end{remark} \begin{remark}[Automorphisms] \label{remark-automorphisms} Assumptions and notation as in Lemma \ref{lemma-properties-lift-RS-star}. Let $x', x''$ be lifts of $x$ to $A'$. Then we have a composition map $$\text{Inf}(x'/x) \times \Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'') \times \text{Inf}(x''/x) \longrightarrow \Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'').$$ Since $\textit{Lift}(x, A')$ is a groupoid, if $\Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'')$ is nonempty, then this defines a simply transitive left action of $\text{Inf}(x'/x)$ on $\Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'')$ and a simply transitive right action by $\text{Inf}(x''/x)$. Now the lemma says that $\text{Inf}(x'/x) = \text{Inf}_x(I) = \text{Inf}(x''/x)$. We claim that the two actions described above agree via these identifications. Namely, either $x' \not \cong x''$ in which the claim is clear, or $x' \cong x''$ and in that case we may assume that $x'' = x'$ in which case the result follows from the fact that $\text{Inf}(x'/x)$ is commutative. In particular, we obtain a well defined action $$\text{Inf}_x(I) \times \Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'') \longrightarrow \Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'')$$ which is simply transitive as soon as $\Mor_{\textit{Lift}(x, A')}(x', x'')$ is nonempty. \end{remark} \begin{remark}[Canonical element] \label{remark-canonical-element} Assumptions and notation as in Lemma \ref{lemma-properties-lift-RS-star}. Choose an affine open $\Spec(\Lambda) \subset S$ such that $\Spec(A) \to S$ corresponds to a ring map $\Lambda \to A$. Consider the ring map $$A \longrightarrow A[\Omega_{A/\Lambda}], \quad a \longmapsto (a, \text{d}_{A/\Lambda}(a))$$ Pulling back $x$ along the corresponding morphism $\Spec(A[\Omega_{A/\Lambda}]) \to \Spec(A)$ we obtain a deformation $x_{can}$ of $x$ over $A[\Omega_{A/\Lambda}]$. We call this the {\it canonical element} $$x_{can} \in T_x(\Omega_{A/\Lambda}) = \text{Lift}(x, A[\Omega_{A/\Lambda}]).$$ Next, assume that $\Lambda \to A$ is of finite type and let $k = \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ be a residue field at a finite type point $u_0$ of $U = \Spec(A)$. Let $x_0 = x|_{u_0}$. By (RS*) and the fact that $A[k] = A \times_k k[k]$ the space $T_x(k)$ is the tangent space to the deformation functor $\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$. Via $$T\mathcal{F}_{U, k, u_0} = \text{Der}_\Lambda(A, k) = \Hom_A(\Omega_{A/\Lambda}, k)$$ (see Formal Deformation Theory, Example \ref{formal-defos-example-tangent-space-prorepresentable-functor}) and functoriality of $T_x$ the canonical element produces the map on tangent spaces induced by the object $x$ over $U$. Namely, $\theta \in T\mathcal{F}_{U, k, u_0}$ maps to $T_x(\theta)(x_{can})$ in $T_x(k) = T\mathcal{F}_{\mathcal{X}, k, x_0}$. \end{remark} \begin{remark}[Canonical automorphism] \label{remark-canonical-isomorphism} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category fibred in groupoids over $(\Sch/S)_{fppf}$. Assume $\mathcal{X}$ satisfies condition (RS*). Let $A$ be an $S$-algebra such that $\Spec(A) \to S$ maps into an affine open and let $x, y$ be objects of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(A)$. Further, let $A \to B$ be a ring map and let $\alpha : x|_{\Spec(B)} \to y|_{\Spec(B)}$ be a morphism of $\mathcal{X}$ over $\Spec(B)$. Consider the ring map $$B \longrightarrow B[\Omega_{B/A}], \quad b \longmapsto (b, \text{d}_{B/A}(b))$$ Pulling back $\alpha$ along the corresponding morphism $\Spec(B[\Omega_{B/A}]) \to \Spec(B)$ we obtain a morphism $\alpha_{can}$ between the pullbacks of $x$ and $y$ over $B[\Omega_{B/A}]$. On the other hand, we can pullback $\alpha$ by the morphism $\Spec(B[\Omega_{B/A}]) \to \Spec(B)$ corresponding to the injection of $B$ into the first summand of $B[\Omega_{B/A}]$. By the discussion of Remark \ref{remark-automorphisms} we can take the difference $$\varphi(x, y, \alpha) = \alpha_{can} - \alpha|_{\Spec(B[\Omega_{B/A}])} \in \text{Inf}_{x|_{\Spec(B)}}(\Omega_{B/A}).$$ We will call this the {\it canonical automorphism}. It depends on all the ingredients $A$, $x$, $y$, $A \to B$ and $\alpha$. \end{remark} \begin{remark} \label{remark-short-exact-sequence-thickenings} Let $S$ be a locally Noetherian scheme. Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a category