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Denote by $k$ an algebraically closed field. Can one produce a DVR $A$ over $k$ such that

  • the fraction field of $A$ has an automomorphism not preserving $A$
  • no non-trivial field extension of $k$ maps, as a $k$-algebra, to $A$?

This question is in part inspired by this post (though I guess the connection is not entirely clear, I will try to clarify if this gets responses).

If $k((x))$ has an automorphism not preserving $k[[x]]$, that would mean a positive answer to this question. I do not know if such automorphism exists.

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If you do not insist on completeness, an easier example seems to be $A=k[x]_{(x)}\subseteq k(x)$. Then the substitution map $f(x)/g(x) \mapsto f(x^{-1})/g(x^{-1})$ defines an automophism of $k(x)$ sending $A$ to its evil twin $k[x^{-1}]_{(x^{-1})},$ hence not preserving $A$, and no proper overfield of $k$ can map into $A$ since the residue field of $A$ is $k$.

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Every automorphism of $k((x))$ preserves $k[[x]]$. This argument is adapted from an answer of Will Sawin. Let $V$ be the set of valuations $v : k((x))^{\times} \to \mathbb{Z}$ which are $0$ on $k^{\times}$. As usual, we put $v(0) = \infty$ for any valuation $v$. I claim that $f \in k[[x]]$ if and only if $v(f) \geq 0$ for all $v \in V$.

Clearly, if $f \not\in k[[x]]$, then $v(f)<0$ for the standard valuation $v$.

In the other direction, let $v \in V$. Choose $n$ relatively prime to the characteristic of $k$. Let $f$ be of the form $1+\sum_{geq 1} a_j x^j$, then $f$ has an $n^j$-th root in $k((x))$ for all $j>0$. So $n^j | v(f)$ and we deduce that $v(f)=0$ for such an $f$. Any $g \in k[[x]]$ is the sum of such an $f$ and an element of $k$, so any such $g$ has $v(g) \geq 0$.

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    $\begingroup$ This argument seems to prove only that every automorphism preserving $k$ preserves $k[[x]]$. Fortunately, $k$ is assumed algebraically closed, so every discrete valuation on $k((x))$ is trivial on $k$. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 13, 2019 at 6:36
  • $\begingroup$ For any field $k$ every discrete valuation on $k((x))$ is trivial on $k$, as noted in the comment by YCor after the answer of Will Sawin in the link above, and thus every automorphism of $k((x))$ preserves $k[[x]]$. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 13, 2019 at 16:06

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