Galois extension
An algebraic field extension that is both normal and separable.
Let be an algebraic field extension.
Definition (Galois extension). The extension is Galois if it is both
Remarks
If is finite, this is equivalent to saying that is the splitting field of a separable polynomial . In that case, the Galois group has order (see degree equals group order), and the base field can be recovered as the fixed field of .
The equivalence between “normal + separable” and “Galois” is highlighted in separable + normal ⇒ Galois.
Examples
- is Galois: it is normal (splitting field of ) and separable (characteristic ).
- The splitting field of over is . Since is separable in characteristic , this splitting field is Galois over .
- For finite fields, is Galois; its Galois group is cyclic generated by Frobenius. By contrast, fails to be Galois because it is not normal, and fails because it is not separable.