Functorial Test Modules

Abstract

In this article we introduce a slight modification of the definition of test modules which is an additive functor $\tau$ on the category of coherent Cartier modules. We show that in many situations this modification agrees with the usual definition of test modules. Furthermore, we show that for a smooth morphism $f \colon X \to Y$ of $F$-finite schemes one has a natural isomorphism $f^! \circ \tau \cong \tau \circ f^!$. If $f$ is quasi-finite and of finite type we construct a natural transformation $\tau \circ f_* \to f_* \circ \tau$.