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Asaf Karagila
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How many algebraic closures can a field have?

Assuming the axiom of choice given a field $F$, there is an algebraic extension $\overline F$ of $F$ which is algebraically closed. Moreover, if $K$ is a different algebraic extension of $F$ which is algebraically closed, then $K\cong\overline F$ via an isomorphism which fixes $F$. We can therefore say that $\overline F$ is the algebraic closure of $F$.

(In fact, much less than the axiom of choice is necessary.)

Without the axiom of choice, it is consistent that some fields do not have an algebraic closure. It is consistent that $\Bbb Q$ has two non-isomorphic algebraically closed algebraic extensions.

It therefore makes sense to ask: Suppose there are two non-isomorphic algebraically closed algebraic extensions. Is there a third? Are there infinitely many? Are there Dedekind-infinitely many?

What is provable from $\sf ZF$ about the spectrum of algebraically closed algebraic extensions of an arbitrary field? What about the rational numbers?

Asaf Karagila
  • 39.7k
  • 8
  • 135
  • 283