PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Let p be a prime. Let V be a discrete valuation ring of mixed characteristic (0, p) and index of ramification e. Let f : G -> H be a homomorphism of finite flat commutative group schemes of p power order over V whose generic fiber is an isomorphism. We provide a new proof of a result of Bondarko and Liu that bounds the kernel and the cokernel of the special fiber of f in terms of e. For e < p - 1 this reproves a result of Raynaud. Our bounds are sharper that the ones of Liu, are almost as sharp as the ones of Bondarko, and involve a very simple and short method. As an application we obtain a new proof of an extension theorem for homomorphisms of truncated Barsotti-Tate groups which strengthens Tate's extension theorem for homomorphisms of p-divisible groups. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.