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Let's define the singular cohomologies of function fields of complex varieties, as the direct limit of the singular cohomologies of Zariski opens of the variety with analytic topology. So for a complex variety $X$ where its function field is $F(X)$, we have defined $H^i(F(X), \mathbb{Z})$. Similarly let's define singular cohomology of the algebraic closure $\overline{F(X)}$, as the direct limit of singular cohomology of finite extensions of $F(X)$. Now my question is: Is the cohomology ring of $\overline{F(X)}$ generated by the first cohomology group and cup product?

Is this true rationally when considering the generic point of the variety? (is $H^i(F(X), \mathbb{Q})$ generated by $H^1$?). Are there any examples that the cohomology ring of the generic point has been calculated (other than curves).

Edit: As a motivation I wanted to add this: this is true if we consider cohomology with finite coefficients and it follows from Bloch-Kato.

Edit2: I had another similar question and did not want to ask a separate question. Assuming there is a counter-example for the question above about the singular cohomology of $\overline{F(X)}$ (I am not aware of it at this point), I was wondering whether the following weaker statement has a chance of being true:

  • For a smooth projective complex variety $X$ and a cohomology class $\alpha \in H^i(X, \mathbb{Q})$, there is a quasi-projective variety $Y$ and an etale map (not necessarily a surjective one) $f:Y\rightarrow X$ such that $f^*\alpha\in H^i(Y, \mathbb{Q})$ is generated by $H^1(Y, \mathbb{Q})$ and cup product.
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Considering the direction of the arrows, I think it should an inverse limit, but in any case, the answer would be no with $\mathbb{Q}$ coefficients.

Let $X$ be a projective K3 surface over $\mathbb{C}$. By an easy residue calculation, for any Zariski open $U\subseteq X$, the mixed Hodge structure on $H^1(U,\mathbb{Q})$ should be pure of type $(1,1)$, i.e. a sum of $\mathbb{Q}(-1)$'s. On the other hand, by a similar calculation, $H^2(U)$ has a nonzero $(2,0)$ part. So the cup product cannot induce a surjection $\wedge^2 H^1(U)\to H^2(U)$. (Shrinking $U$ won't change the outcome.)

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    $\begingroup$ This might be a trivial question but since I don't know much about $K3$ surfaces, where it was used? does this also provide a counter example for the algebraic closure case? (the first question.) $\endgroup$
    – user127776
    Jun 21, 2022 at 14:56
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    $\begingroup$ It was used in two places: if $X$ is K3 then $H^1(X)=0$ and $\dmi, H^{2,0}(X)=1$. I guess I only answered one of your questions. Will try to answer the others later. $\endgroup$ Jun 21, 2022 at 20:38

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