# nLab morphism of schemes

## Definition

If $(X,\mathcal{O}_X)$ and $(Y,\mathcal{O}_Y)$ a morphism of schemes $(X,\mathcal{O}_X)\to(Y,\mathcal{O}_Y)$ is a pair $(f,f^\sharp):(X,\mathcal{O}_X)\to(Y,\mathcal{O}_Y)$ where $f:X\to Y$ is the continuous map of topological spaces and a morphism of sheaves of local rings $f^\sharp:\mathcal{O}_Y\to f_*\mathcal{O}_X$.

In other words, schemes form a full subcategory of the category of locally ringed spaces. The morphism of sheaves of local rings $f^\sharp:\mathcal{O}_Y\to f_*\mathcal{O}_X$ is also called the comorphism.

## Properties of morphisms

Since Grothendieck school, the relative point of view is emphasized in algebraic geometry. In particular, the study of classes of schemes is generalized to the study of classes of morphisms of schemes. Thus a property of some schemes can often be generalized to a property of some morphisms and this is the proper generality. For example, the affine $k$-schemes are the same as affine morphisms into the spectrum of $k$; thus affine morphisms (otherwise known as relative affine schemes) generalize affine schemes.

Much of the foundations of modern algebraic geometry is thus devoted to the study of classes of morphisms of schemes, as seen for example from major monographs like EGA, or the recent Stacks Project.

category: geometry

Created on March 26, 2018 at 15:34:07. See the history of this page for a list of all contributions to it.