Existentially generated subfields of large fields

Abstract

We study subfields of large fields which are generated by infinite existentially definable subsets. We say that such subfields are existentially generated. Let $L$ be a large field of characteristic exponent $p$, and let $E\subseteq L$ be an infinite existentially generated subfield. We show that $E$ contains $L^{(p^n)}$, the $p^n$-th powers in $L$, for some $n<\omega$. This generalises a result of Fehm, which shows $E=L$ under the assumption that $L$ is perfect. Our method is to first study existentially generated subfields of henselian fields. Since $L$ is existentially closed in the henselian field $L((t))$, our result follows.

12 pages